MEMORIALS  OF  A  CENTURY. 


'  TlMS  ROLLS  HIS   CEASELESS   COURSE.        THE  RACE   OF  TORE 

WHO  DANCED   OUR  INFANCY  UPON  THEIR  KNEE, 
AND   TOLD   OUR  MARVELLING  BOYHOOD  LEGEND'S  STORE 

OF  THEIR  STRANGE   VENTURES  HAPP'D  BY  LAND   OR  SEA, 
HOW  ARE   THEY  BLOTTED  FROM  THE   THINGS   THAT  BE  I 

HOW  FEW,  ALL   WEAK  AND   WITHERED   OF  THEIR  FORCE, 
WAIT  ON  THE   VERGE   OF  DARK  ETERNITY, 

LlKE  STRANDED  WRECKS,   THE   TIDE  RETURNING  HOARSE 
To  SWEEP  THEM  FROM  OUR  SIGHT.        TlME  ROLLS  HIS   CEASELESS   COURSE. 


>:- - .      fc;"  '!i^ 


MAP   OF  BEXN1XGTO.V   HATTLE. 

^s"^r  />.//    /6\v  -/// 

ne.  River  was  7>y  -n/jsfrfjke  caf/rfl  Jfasa.ctr<itul  fJrrrr  trus  no  itidiratifm   oftkepoattsqfcmnpasa,  '/t 
ffr.t  aibove-,  ?s  an.  t-zact   Copy ,  rrcht reef.  oftlieMctp  itv Bwrgoyrtcs State  o/'t/if  faprctitirm  . 
ITie  letterpress  W  ofcowse .British,-. tbr.l'bnerifafi  Ibfuntewx  read,  Tori'jzs .  "£odias  of  (Sit 
Forces    of  ffetl ..  Stark  ."  1 1  "ntmscock  "-measm  WaHoofHsar. 


MEMORIALS  OF  A  CENTURY. 


EMBRACING    A 


RECORD  OF  INDIVIDUALS  AND  EVENTS 


CHIEFLY     IN 


THE  EARLY  HISTORY  OF  BEMINGTON,  VT. 


FIRST     CHURCH. 


BY 


ISAAC   JENNINGS, 

PASTOR  OF  THE  CHUKCH. 


BOSTON: 

G-  O  TJ  L  r>      ^  IN"  D      IL,  I  INT  C  O  H,  UST  , 

59    WASHINGTON     STREET. 

1869. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1869,  by 

ISAAC'jENNINGS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Vermont. 


Rockwell  &  Rollins,  Printers  and  Stereotypers, 
122  Washington  Street,  Boston. 


THE  PEOPLE  OF  HIS  PASTORAL  CHARGE, 


WITH  AFFECTION  AND  ESTEEM 


mtmgtrt  in  t?)£  Earlg  ^istorg  of 


THIS    VOLUME 


IS     RESPECTFULLY    INSCRIBED, 


THE  AUTHOR. 


BENNINGTON,  Jan.  6,  1803. 

I 

To  REV.  ISAAC  JENNINGS. 

Dear  Sir:  Having  listened  with  much  pleasure  to  your  very  interesting 
centennial  discourse,  delivered  on  the  4th  inst.,  and  considering  it  of  great 
historical  value,  we  are  very  desirous  that  it  should  be  published  for  distri 
bution  and  preservation;  and  we  would  respectfully  request  you  to  furnish 
a  copy  for  the  press. 

H.  G.  ROOT.  HILAND  HALL. 

GEORGE  BENTON.  A.  B.  GARDNER. 

M.  C.  MORGAN.  SAMUEL  CHANDLER. 

STEPHEN  BINGHAM.  GEORGE  LYMAN. 

S.  F.  HARRIS.  I.  W.  VAIL. 

M.  G.  SELDEN.  H.  H.  HARWOOD. 

P.  C.  WHITE.  WILLIAM  WEJJB. 


PEEFACE. 


/•J^'J-wHE  foundation  of  this  volume  is  the  discourse  de 
livered  at  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  the  organ 
ization  of  the  Bennington  First  Church,  the  publi 
cation  of  which  was  requested  by  the  note  on  the 
preceding  page. 
The  first  nine  chapters  are,  without  essential  modification, 
the  discourse.  Some  account  of  the  centennial  celebration 
and  the  conclusion  of  the  discourse  make  up  chapter  twenty- 
six. 

In  view  of  publication,  four  subjects  presented  themselves 
for  a  more  complete  consideration  than  the  writer  had  given- 
to  them,  namely  :  the  land-title  controversy  ;  the  Ben 
nington  battle ;  the  individual  men  and  women  of  Bennington 
in  the  past  times ;  and  the  Separatist  antecedents  of  many  of 
the  first  inhabitants,  together  with  their  promotion  of  civil 
liberty  as  to  public  worship.  Hence  so  many  pages  devoted 
to  these  subjects,  and  a  volume  instead  of  a  discourse. 

The  writer  has  been  in  various  ways  much  assisted  by 
numerous  kind  friends  of  the  work.  He  would  make  par 
ticular  mention  of  his  indebtedness  to  William  Haswell, 
Esq.,  clerk  of  the  church,  now  deceased,  for  reminiscences, 
documents,  and  labors  upon  the  church  records,  without 


VIII  PREFACE. 

which  these  memorials  would  be  far  more  imperfect  than 
they  are;  to  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Learned,  of  Plymouth,  Conn.,— 
an  esteemed  college  classmate,  deceased  April  19,  1867,  —  for 
information  respecting  Separatism  in  Connecticut ;  to  S.  F. 
Plimpton,  Esq.,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  —  also  an  esteemed  college 
classmate,  deceased  April  22,  1867,  —  for  extensive  and  ac 
curate  researches  amongst  the  laws  of  Massachusetts  in  their 
bearing  upon  the  Separates ;  and  to  the  Hon.  Hiland  Hall,  — 
the  able  late  president  of  the  Vermont  Historical  Society, 
writer  of  the  historical  account  of  Bennington  (so  compre 
hensive  as  to  be  in  itself  a  history  of  the  town)  in  Miss 
Hemmenway's  "Vermont  Historical  Magazine,"  and  author 
of  "The  Early  History  of  Vermont."  Almost  the  entire 
manuscript  of  these  '*  Memorials,"  before  their  final  com 
pletion  for  the  press,  had  the  benefit  of  his  careful  revision. 
His  valuable  aid  in  many  ways,  and  active  interest  in  the 
success  of  these  labors,  demand  grateful  acknowledgment. 

Thanks  are  also  due  to  those  who  have  encouraged  the 
undertaking  by  subscribing  for  copies  of  the  volume  in  ad 
vance,  who  belong  to  other  churches  and  parishes  in  the 
town,  and  who,  though  now  many  of  them  prominent  in  the 
community,  have  not  by  early  settlement  here,  or  by  genea 
logical  descent,  any  connection  with  its  early  history,  and  it 
may  be  their  names  do  not  occur  in  the  following  pages. 

And  finally  the  author  feels  under  obligation  to  the  ex 
perienced  judgment  and  kind  co-operation  of  the  publishers. 

BENNINGTON  CENTRE,  VT.,  April,  1869. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

TOWNSHIP. 

PAGE 

Charter.  —  Proprietors'  Records.  — The  first  Immigration.  —  The  first  Public 
Meeting.— Hardships  of  the  first  Settlers 19 


CHAPTER    II. 

FIRST  MEETING-HOUSE. 

Its  Location.  —  Its  Cost,  how  provided  for.  —  Description  of  the  first  Meeting 
house.  —  Memorable  Days  of  the  first  Meeting-house.  —  Its  Removal  to  give 
place  to  the  second  Meeting-house.  —  Farewell  to  the  first  Meeting-house.  24 


CHAPTER    III. 

THE  CHURCH. 

Name  of  the  original  Church.— Date  of  Organization.  — Churches  previously 
on  the  Ground.  — Original  Members  of  the  First  Church.  — Call  to  Rev. 
Jedidiah  Dewey.  —  Call  to  the  Westfield  Church  and  Pastor.  —  Council  at 
"VVestfield.  —  Early  Growth  of  the  First  Church.  —  Accessions  during  Mr. 
Dewey's  Ministry.  —  State  of  Society.  —  Roll  of  the  Church  for  its  first  Cen 
tury.— Table  of  Additions.— Pastors  — Deacons.  — Clerks.  — Interesting 
Memoranda 31 


X  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    IV. 

SEPARATISM. 

Interesting  Subject  of  Inquiry.  —  Proceedings  in  the  Sunderland  Church.— 
Separates  excommunicated  in  some  Instances.  — Cause  of  the  Settlement 
of  Bennington.  —  The  "  Great  Awakening."  — Connecticut  Laws.  — "Old 
Lights  "  and  "  New  Lights."  —  Heat  of  the  Controversy.  —  Massachusetts 
Laws.  —Bennington  Separates  and  Connecticut  Separates  sympathize.— 
Connecticut  Separates  compose  the  Westfield  Council 47 

CHAPTER    V. 

INTERNAL  PERPLEXITIES  OF  THE  CHURCH. 

Financial  Controversy.  — How  shall  we  pay  the  Minister ? —The  Separate 
Way  modified.  —  The  Church  opposed  to  extreme  Separatism.  — Two  Par 
ties  to  a  long  Church  Controversy.  — Spiritual  Declension.  — A  Sign  of 
better  Things.  — How  to  pay  the  Minister  never  settled.  — Case  of  Rev. 
David  Avery.  — His  Talents  fail  to  unite  the  Church.  — His  singular  Cere 
mony  of  Installation.  —  Ecclesiastical  Council.  —  Mr.  Avery's  Resignation. 
—  The  Slavery  Question.  —  A  "  Consci-hen-tious  "  Captain 55 

CHAPTER    VI. 

,  THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  WORLD. 

Energetic  secular  Life.  Roads  and  Bridges  to  build.  —  Accommodations  for 
the  travelling  Public  to  \naintain.-Land-title  Controversy. —  Revolu 
tionary  War.  —  Leading  Men  in  public  Life  were  leading  Men  in  the 
Church.  —  Muster-roll  of  the  first  military  Company.  —  First  Saw  and  Grist 
Mill.  —  Spread  of  Religion Co 

CHAPTER    VII. 

REVIVALS. 

Bennington  Christians  believed  in  Revivals.  — They  were  Friends  of  Whit- 
field.  —  They  enjoyed  numerous  Revivals .  —  Revival  of  1803.  —  The  Revival 
needed.  —  Three-days'  Meeting.  —  Original  Hymns.  — Miss  Read's  Narra- 


CONTENTS.  XI 

tive  of  the  Revival.  —  An  Inquiry  Meeting.  —  Fruits  of  the  Revival. —  The 
Friday  Meeting.  — Other  Revivals.  — Revival  of  1831.— A  joyful  Com 
munion  Season 71 

CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  FIRST  SEVEN  PASTORS. 

Rev.  Jedidiah  Dewey.  — His  Ability  and  Fidelity.— He  became  a  Separate. 

—  His  sterling  Qualities.  —  His  Ministry  in  Bennington.  —  His  Services  in 
the  Land-Title  Controversy.  —  Anecdotes  of  Mr.  Dewey.  —  His  Genealogy 
and  Family.  —  Rev.  David  Avery.  —  His  Army  Labors  as  Chaplain  in 
the  Revolution.  —  A  War  Sermon.  — His  Ministry  in  Bennington.  —  His 
Manner  in  the  Pulpit.  — His  last  Sickness  and  Death.  — Rey.  Job  Swift, 
D.D.— His  Genealogy  and  Education.  —  Troubled  State  of  public  Af 
fairs   during  his  Ministry  in  Bennington.  — His   ministerial  Success.— 
His  Matter  and  Manner  as  a  Preacher.  —  His  missionary  Zeal.  —  His 
Hospitality  and  Benevolence.  — His  University  Honors.  — He  died  in  the 
Triumphs  of  Faith.  — Rev.  Daniel  Marsh.  — His  ministerial  Labors.— 
His  Call  to  Bennington  and  Installation.  — Additions  to  the  Church  during 
his  Ministry  here.  —  Excellent  Characteristics  of  Mr.  Marsh.  — His  subse 
quent  Labors  in  the  Ministry.  —  His  last  Sickness  and  Death.  —  His  Wife. 

—  His  Family.  —Extracts  from  Diary  of  Benjamin  Harwood.  —Rev.  Ab 
salom  Peters,  D.D.  — His  Parentage  and  Education.  — His  Fields  of  Labor 
and  public  Services.  —  His  Bennington  Pastorate.  —  An  Anecdote.  —  His 
Sermon  against  public  Immoralities.  — Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark.  — His  An 
cestors.  —  His  Settlements  and  other  Labors  in  the  Ministry.  —  His  Power 
in  the  Pulpit.  —  His  Assaults  upon  Intemperance  and  other  Immoralities. 

—  He  excited  Opposition.  —  Revivals  in  Connection  with  his  Labors.  —  His 
Decease.  —  Rev.  E.  W.  Hooker,  D.D.  — His  Parentage  and  Education.— 
His  Fields  of  Labor.  — His  published  Works.  — His  Love  for  his  Profes 
sion.— His  Ministry  in  Bennington.— His  Family -82 

CHAPTER    IX. 

TRANSIENT  MINISTERS. 

Rev.  Mr.  Burton.  —  An  Anecdote.  —  Father  Marshall.  —  His  Eccentricity. — 
His  Conversion.  —  Anecdotes  of  Father  Marshall.  —  Rev.  J.  Spaulding. 

—  His  Labors.  — His  printed  Works.  —  His  Politics.  —  Rev.  Jedidiah  Bush- 
nell.  —  Rev.  Lemuel  Haynes.  —  Rev.  Edward  Dorr  Grifien,  D.D.  —  His  Ser 
mon  at  the  Funeral  of  Alonzo  B.  Stiles.  ...         .116 


XII  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    X. 

THE  LAND-TITLE  CONTROVERSY. 

Proclamation  of  Gov.  Colden.  —  Charter  to  the  Duke  of  York,  1664.  —  Order 
in  Council  of  the  King,  1764.  —  High-handed  Proceedings  of  New  York.  — 
The  Settlers  determined  to  resist  the  New  York  Claim  to  Jurisdiction.— 
Order  in  Council  of  the  King,  1767.  —  Spirit  of  the  New  York  Colonial  Gov 
ernment.  —  Spirit  of  the  Settlers  upon  the  New  Hampshire  Grants .  —  Their 
Shrewdness,  Moderation,  and  Patriotism.  —  Length  of  the  Struggle.  .  .  126 

CHAPTER    XI. 

THE  LAND-TITLE  CONTROVERSY,  CONTINUED. 

Controversy  with  New  Hampshire.  —  Bennington  Head-quarters  of  the  Re 
sistance  to  New  York.  —  Unsuccessful  Attempt  to  get  Possession  of  the 
Breakenridge  Farm.  —  Rescue  of  Remember  Baker.  —  The  Green  Moun 
tain  Boys.  — Council  of  Safety.  —  Catamount  Tavern.  — Bennington  Men 
prominent  in  the  Negotiations  at  Philadelphia.  —  Convention  at  Dorset.  — 
Notes  to  the  above  two  Chapters 140 

CHAPTER    XII. 

THE  BENNINGTON  BATTLE. 

Anxiety  in  the  Country  previous  to  the  Battle.  —  Surrender  of  Ticonderoga 
and  Defeat  at  Hubbardton.  —  Perplexity  of  Gen.  Washington.  —  Prestige  of 
Burgoyne.  —  Indian  Terrors.  —  Murder  of  Miss  McCrea.  —  Baum's  Expedi 
tion.  —  Burgoyne's  Instructions  to  Baum.  —  Baum's  Force.  —  Vermont 
aroused.  —  Feeling  at  Bennington.  —  Determined  Spirit  of  the  Settlers.— 
Getting  a  Foothold.  — Address  of  the  Council  of  Safety.  — Preparations  to 
meet  the  Enemy.  —  Patriotic  Offer  of  John  Langdon.—  Gen.  Stark.  —  Ef 
fects  of  Tories  confiscated.  —  Baum's  Movements  before  the  Battle. — 
Gen.  Stark's  Movements.  —  Gen.  Stark  marches  to  meet  Baum.  —  Baum's 
Entrenchments.  — Gen.  Stark's  Force. —  His  Plan  of  Attack.  — The  Bat 
tle. —  Our  Soldiers  before  the  Assault  on  Baum's  Works.  —  Valor  of  the 
Hessians.  — Irresistible  Onset  of  our  Men. —  The  Breastworks  carried.— 


CONTENTS.  XIII 

Arrival  of  Breyman  with  his  Eeinforcement.  —  Renewal  of  the  Battle.— 
Arrival  of  Warner's  lleinforcement.  —  Anxiety  of  the  Council  of  Safety. 

—  Rout  of  Breyman  and    complete    Victory.  —  Statements  by  Eye-wit 
nesses.— Results  of  the  Battle.  — Trophies.  — Prisoners.  — General  Re 
sults.— Inhabitants  of  the  Grants  reassured.  — The  Country  reassured. 

—  Further  patriotic  Exertions  of  the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  — Compara 
tive  Strength  of  Forces.  — Estimate  of  Gen.  Burgoyne.  — Our  Men  not 
trained  Soldiers.  —  Destitution  in  our  Army.  —  Incidents  of  the  Battle.  — 
Exhausting  Effects  of  the   Engagement.  —  The  fighting  Parson.  — Wil- 
lianistowu  Volunteers.  —  Williamstown  Prayer-meeting.  —  Our  Dead.  — 
Stanzas  of  Rev.  E.  H.  Chapin,  D.D.  —  Roll  of  Capt.  Robinson's  Company. 

—  OdebvMrs.A.C.  L.  Botta.  146 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

PERSONAL   NOTICES  — SAMUEL  ROBINSON,  SEN.,  ESQ.,  AND  MRS. 
MARCY  L,  ROBINSON. 

Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.  —  His  History  before  his  Settlement  in  Bennington.  — 
His  public  Services.  — His  Mission  to  England.  — His  Death. —  Letter  of 
William  Samuel  Johnson.  —  Mrs.  Marcy  L.Robinson.  —  Her  Energy. — 
Her  Piety.  —  Her  Decease 204 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES —  FIRST  IMMIGRATION. 

Mrs.  Bridget  Harwood.  —  Peter  Harwood.  —  Sarah  Harwood.  —  Eleazer  Har- 
wood.  —  Zechariah  Harwood.  —  Others  of  Mrs.  Bridget  Harwood's  De 
scendants.  —Rev.  Mr.  Winchester.—  Samuel  and  Timothy  Pratt.— Stephen 
Pratt ,  .  213 

CHAPTER    XV. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  —  SECOND  IMMIGRATION. 

Dea.  John  Fassctt.  —John  Fassett,  Jr.  —  Col.  Benjamin  Fassett.  — Col.  Elias 
Fassett.  —  Other  Descendants  of  Dea.  John  Fassett.  —  Dea.  Joseph  Saf- 
ford.  — Gen.  Samuel  Safford.  — Other  Descendants  of  Dea.  Joseph  Safford. 
2 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

Dea.  Erwin  Safford.  —  Elisha  Field.  —Lieut  James  Breakenridge.  —  Dan 
iel  Breakenridge.  —  Others  of  the  Breakenridge  Family.  —  Ebenezer 
Wood.  —  Dea.  John  Wood.  —  Gov.  Moses  Robinson.  —  Capt.  Moses  Robin 
son,  Jr. —  Major  Aaron  Robinson.  —  Other  Descendants  of  Gov.  Moses 
Robinson.  .  .  228 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  —  SECOND  IMMIGRATION,  CONTINUED. 

Gen.  David  Robinson.  —  David  Robinson,  Jr.,  Esq.  —  Hon.  Stephen  Robinson. 
—  Henian  Robinson.  —  Other  Descendants  of  Gen.  David  Robinson. — 
Judge  Jonathan  Robinson.  —  Jonathan  E.  Robinson.  —  Gen.  Henry  Rob 
inson.  —  Isaac  Tichenor  Robinson.  —  Other  Descendants  of  Judge  Jona 
than  Robinson.  .  .  239 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  — 1762. 

Stephen  Fay.  —  John  Fay.  —  Dr.  Jonas  Fay.  —  Benjamin  Fay.  —  Samuel  Fay, 
Esq.  — Col.  Joseph  Fay.  — Judge  David  Fay.  — Other  Descendants  of 
Stephen  Fay.  — Nathan  Clark.  —  Phineas  Scott.  — Col.  Martin  Scott.— 
Other  Descendants  of  Phineas  Scott 253 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  — 1763-1765. 

Capt.  Elijah  Dewey.  —  Elijah  Dewey  Hubbell.—  Family  of  Capt.  Elijah  De\vey. 
—  Dea.  Hezekiah  Armstrong.  —  Others  of  the  Armstrongs.  —  Thomas  Hen 
derson.  —  Descendants  of  Thomas  Henderson.  —  Simeon  Harmon.  —  Dea. 
Nathaniel  Harmon.  —  Austin  Harmon. —  Others  of  the  Harmons.  — Gen. 
Ebenezer  Walbridge.  —  Stebbins  Walbridge.  —  Other  Descendants  of  Gen. 
Walbridge 266 


CONTENTS.  XV 

CHATTER    XIX. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  — 1766-1769. 

Elnathan  Hubbell. —'James  Hubbell,  Esq.— Dea.  Aaron  Hubbell.  —  Other 
Descendants  of  Elnathan  Hubbell.  —  Joseph  Robinson. —  Robert  Cochran. 

—  David  Haynes.  —  Descendants  of  David  Haynes".  —  Reuben  Colvin.— 
Descendants  of  Reuben  Colvin.  —  Nathaniel  Fillmore.  —  His  Family. — 
Simeon    Hathaway.  —  Thomas  Jewett.  —  Charles    Cushman.  —  Eleazer 
Hawks.  — His  Family 283 

CHAPTER    XX. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  — 1775-1776. 

Dea.  Joseph  Bingham. —Jeremiah  Bingham.  —  Dea.  Calvin  Bingham.— 
Other  Descendants  of  Dea.  Joseph  Bingham.  —  Nathaniel  Brush.  —  Samuel 
Blackmer  — Descendants  of  Samuel  Blackmer.  — David  Henry. —  James 
Henry.  — John  Henry.  — Hon.  William  Henry.  — Other  Descendants  of 
William  Henry.  — Joseph  Hinsdill.  — Dea.  Stephen  Hinsdill.  — Other  De 
scendants  of  Joseph  Hinsdill.  — Eleazer  Edgerton.  — Uriah  Edgerton,  Esq. 

—  Other  Descendants  of   Eleazer  Edgertou.  —  John  Kinsley. —  Abisha 
Kinsley.  — Capt.  Moses  Sage.  — Descendants  of  Capt.  Moses  Sage.  — Sim 
eon  Sears.  .  .    289 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  — 1777-1784. 

Gov.  Isaac  Tichenor.  — Thomas  Hall.  — Dea.  Nathaniel  Hall.  — Children  of 
Dea.  Nathaniel  Hall.  — Ancestors  of  Thomas  Hall.  —  Anthony  Haswell, 
Esq.  —  Thomas  Haswell.  — William  Haswell.  — Other  Descendants  of  An 
thony  Haswell,  Esq.  —  Thomas  Weeks.  —  David  Weeks.  —  Other  Descend 
ants  of  Thomas  Weeks.— Ichabod  Paddock. —William  Potter.  — Col. 
Martin  Norton.  .  .  .  299 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XXII. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES  — 1785-1800. 

Dr.  Noadiah  Swift.  — Family  of  Dr.  Noadiah  Swift.  — Capt.  Saxton  Squire. 

—  Children  of  Capt.  Saxton  Squire.  — Mrs.  Mary  Galusha.  — Gov.  Galu- 
sha.  —  Rufus  Barney.  —  Elkanah  Barney.  —  Capt.  Ebenezer  Chace.  —  Fam 
ily  of  Capt.  Chace.  — Samuel  Hicks.  — Descendants  of  Samuel  Hicks.— 
Mrs.  Polly  Roach.  —  Descendants  of  Mrs.  Roach.  —  Dr.  Micah  J.  Lyman.  — 
Children  of  Dr.  Lyman.  —  Col.  Orsamus  C.  Merrill.  — Dr.  Heman  Swift.  — 
Roger  Booth.  —  Jesse  Loomis.  —  Children  of  Jesse  Loomis.  —  Capt.  John 
Norton.  — Jonathan  Hunt.  — Family  of  Mr.  Hunt.  — Ancestors  of  Mr. 
Hunt.  — Andrew  Selden.  — Descendants  of  Andrew  Selden 310 

CHAPTER    XXIII. 

PERS6NAL  NOTICES  —  1803  AND  AFTERWARD. 

Dea.  Jotham  French.  — Rev.  William  Harvey.  — Daniel  Nichols.  — Children 
of  Daniel  Nichols.  — William  Park.  —  Thayer.  —  Jacob  Pool.  — Charles 
Wright,  Esq.  —  Lyman  Patchin. — John  Vanderspeigel.  —  Mrs.  Betsey 
Carpenter.  —  Dea.  Isaac  Crossett.  — Lewis  Chandler.— Mrs.  Susannah 
Watson.  —  Dr.  William  Bigelow.  —  Gay  R.  Sanford.  —  Hon.  John  H.  Oliu.  326 

CHAPTER    XXIV. 

EDUCATION. 

Common  Schools.  —  First  district  School-house  in  Bennington.  —  General 
Diffusion  of  common-school  Education. —  Education  in  the  State.  —  Article 
in  the  first  Constitution.  — Act  of  1787.  —  Remarks  of  Dr.  Williams.— 
Academies  and  Colleges.  —  Sons  of  Vermont.  —  Academies  in  Beunington. 

—  Clio  Hall.  —  College  Graduates,  and  Others 336 

CHAPTER    XXV. 

CHURCHES  ORGANIZED  IN  BENNINGTON  SUBSEQUENTLY  TO  THE 
ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  BENNINGTON  FIRST  CHURCH  — 1702-1862. 

Rev.  Mr.  Hibbard  and  his  People.  —The  First  Baptist  Church.  —  The  Metho 
dist  Episcopal  Church.  — St.  Peter's  Church.  — The  Hinsdillville  Presby- 


CONTENTS.  XVII 

terian  Church.  — The  Second  Congregational  Church.  —  The  Universalist 
Meeting-house  in  North  Bennington.  —  The  Baptist  Church  in  Xorth  Ben- 
nington.  —  The  Hinsdillville  Methodist  Episcopal  Church.  —  The  Methodist 
Chapel  in  Taper-Mill  Village.  —  The  Methodist  Chapel  in  the  north-east 
Tart  of  the  Town.  —  The  Roman  .Catholic  Congregation  and  Church  Edifice.  342 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

THE  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 

Account  of  the  Celebration.  — Concluding  Remarks  of  the  Centennial  Dis 
course.    .  349 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

SUPPLEMENTARY. 

The  Township  in  the  Olden  Time.  —  Location  of  some  of  the  early  Settlers.  — 
Population  of  the  Town  at  the  Commencement  of  the  Revolution.  —  Execu 
tion  of  David  Redding.  — Trial  of  Tibbetts  and  Whitney  for  the  alleged 
Murder  of  Stephen  Gordon.  —  Jeffersonian  Democracy  in  the  early  His 
tory  of  Bennington.  —  A7isit  of  Jefferson  and  Madison  to  Gov.  Moses  Rob 
inson. —  Anthony  Haswell's  Imprisonment  under  the  Sedition  Law. — 
Political  Party  Spirit  in  Bennington.  —  Present  Meeting-house  of  the  First 
Congregational  Church. —Articles  of  Faith.  .  ...  354 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

INFLUENCE  OF  THE  EARLY  SETTLERS  OF  VERMONT  ON  FREEDOM 
OF  PUBLIC  WORSHIP. 

Laws  of  Massachusetts  as  affecting  the  Separates.  —  Law  of  1760. —  Sepa 
rates  incompetent  to  collect  by  Law  any  Assessment  or  Subscription  for 
their  own  Minister.  —  The  exempting  Laws.  —  Lawrs  of  Vermont  respect 
ing  Public  Worship.  — The  certificating  Laws.  —  Article  on  Religious 
Worship  in  the  First  Constitution.  — Remarks  of  Dr.  Williams.  — Credit 

due  to  the  Bennington  Pioneers 363 

3* 


XVIII  CONTENTS. 


NOTES   ON   CHAPTERS  IV.,  AND  XXVIII. 

I.  THE  HALFWAY  COVENANT.  —  Time  of  its  Prevalency.  —  Its  Effects.— 
Great  spiritual  Degeneracy  in  the  Country.  —  Opposition  to  the  Reforma 
tion -371 

II.  CASES  OF  HARDSHIP  TO  THE  SEPARATES  UNDER  THE  OPERATION 
OF  MASSACHUSETTS  ECCLESIASTICAL  LAWS.  —  The  Sturbridge  Case. — 
The  Titicut  Case.  — Other  Instances  of  Hardship 376 

III.  MERITS  OF  SEPARATISM.  —  Reformation  needed.  — Rudeness  as  well 
as  Energy.  —  The  Separates  not  always  mindful  of  Charity.  —  Results  of 
the  Separate  Movement.  —  General  Return  of  the  Separates  to  the  old 
Churches  after  the  latter  had  accepted  in  the  main  the  Reforms  which 
the  Separates  demanded.  —  The  Bennington  Separates  more  favorably  sit 
uated  than  if  they  had  remained  in  the  vicinity  of  the  old  Churches.  .    .    379 

IV.  LAWS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  AND  CONNECTICUT  COMPARED.   ...    384 

V.  JUSTICE  TO  THE  PURITANS.  —  They  did  not  profess  Principles  of  Equal 
ity,  or  entire  Freedom  of  Conscience  as  to  Public  Worship.  —  They  were 
nevertheless  in  Advance  of  their  Times.  —  The  Tree  must  be  judged  by  its 
Fruits.  ...  .387 


APPENDIX. 

A.  Charter  of  Bennington 391 

B.  Allen  and  Warner 394 

C.  Covenant  of  First  Church 393 

D.  Articles  of  Newint  Separate  Church 400 

E.  Result  of  a  Separate  Ecc.  Council 403 

F.  Signers'  Agreement  to  be  Taxed  for  Public  Worship 404 

G.  Paper  to  Settle  Indian  Claims. 405 

H.  Letter  of  Governor  Hutchinson .  407 


MEMORIALS  OF  A  CENTURY. 


CHAPTEK  I. 

TOWNSHIP. 

IE  FIRST  SETTLEMENT  of  Vermont,  and  the 
iy\  early  struggles  of  its  inhabitants  not  only  in  sub 
duing  a  wilderness,  but  establishing  an  indepen 
dent  government,"  says  Sparks,  in  his  "American 
Biography,"  "  afford  some  of  the  most  remarkable 
incidents  in  American  History."  If  this  is  true 
of  the  State  in  general,  it  is  especially  true  of  Bennington, 
the  cradle  of  its  infancy ;  and  no  less  true  of  Bennington's 
religious  than  of  its  secular  life  ;  for  as  it  was  the  first 
town  chartered,  so  its  First  Church  was  the  first  also  in 
the  territory  afterward  Vermont,  and  the  antecedents  and 
early  career  of  this  church,  which  for  sixty-four  years  was 
the  only  one  in  the  town,  furnish  a  subject  second  to  no 
other  in  interest  and  importance  in  the  history  of  Ben 
nington. 

To  present  the  religious,  side  by  side  with  the  secular 
early  life  of  the  town,  to  gather  up  remarkable  incidents 
of  both,  to  extend  careful  research  in  directions  heretofore 
neglected,  and  to  combine  the  whole  in  a  permanent  form 
for  perusal  and  preservation,  is  the  design  of  the  follow 
ing  pages. 


20  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

On  January  3,  1749,  parties,  many  of  them  from  Ports 
mouth,  New  Hampshire,1  obtained  a  grant  from  the  New 
Hampshire  governor,  Benning  Wentworth,  Esq.,  in  the 
name  of  King  George  II.,  of  a  township,  six  miles  square, 
situated  six  miles  north  of  the  Massachusetts  line,  and 
twenty  miles  east  of  the  Hudson.  According  to  the  pro 
visions  of  this  charter,  these  purchasers  first  divided  off 
acre  homesteads  in  the  centre,  to  the  number  of  sixt}^- 
four  for  a  village  plot,  and  then  divided  the  remainder  into 
sixty-four  equal  parts,  and  cast  lots  for  the  same.  Each 
original  purchaser  is  believed  to  have  sold  his  share  with 
out  perhaps  ever  seeing  it,  except  upon  paper,  certainly 
to  have  never  settled  upon  it  or  improved  it.  It  should 
have  been  said  that,  of  the  sixty-four  shares,  two  went  to 
Governor  Wentworth,  one  to  the  first  settled  minister, 
whoever  he  might  be,  one  for  schools,  and  the  remaining 
sixty  to  as  many  different  individuals.2 

The  township  remained  an  unbroken  wilderness  for 
thirteen  years,  though  men  thus  cast  lots  for  it,  and 
appropriated  it  to  be  some  time  a  town  under  the  name  of 
Bennington,  in  honor  of  the  Christian  name  of  the  New 
Hampshire  governor.  Captain  Samuel  Robinson,  returl- 
ing  to  his  home  in  Massachusetts  from  one  of  the  cam 
paigns  of  the  Continental  army  in  the  French  war,  mistak 
ing  his  route,  passed,  by  accident,  this  way  ;  and,  impressed 
by  the  attractiveness  of  the  country,  resolved  to  obtain 
others  to  join  him  and  come  up  and  settle  here.  His  reso 
lution  was  carried  into  effect.  Others  agreed  to  accompany 
him.  They  searched  out  the  owners  of  the  land  ;  they 
purchased  the  rights  of  the  original  grantees,  or  of  those 
to  whom  they  had  sold,  and  removed  hither. 

1  The  grantees  of  Bennington  were  many,  probably  most,  of  them  from  Ports 
mouth.    Col.  Williams,  the  first-namexl  proprietor  in  the  charter,  was  from 
Massachusetts,  and  afterward  settled  and  died  in  Pittsfield.    Probably  some 
others  were  from  Massachusetts. 

2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


THE   FIRST  IMMIGRATION.  21 

The  purchasers  of  the  rights  were  termed  proprietors ; 
and  the  whole  purchase  in  common,  or  township  as  related 
to  its  purchasers,  a  propriety.  The  proprietors  had  busi 
ness  meetings  before  a  town  was  organized,  and  for  some 
3Tears  afterward ;  they  settled  boundary  lines  outside  of 
the  whole,  and  between  one  proprietor  and  another ;  they 
located  and  worked  some  of  the  roads ;  they  re-located 
some  of  the  proprietors  who  were  not  pleased  with  their 
original  purchase.  Some  wrho  found  their  purchase  lying 
on  the  east  side  of  the  township  desired  to  be  re-located 
on  the  west  side,  and  the  change  was  authorized  in 
the  proprietors'  meetings.  The  proprietors'  meeting  had 
its  moderator  ;  and  the  propriety,  its  clerk.  Samuel  Rob 
inson,  Esq.,  was  moderator  of  the  first  proprietors'  meeting 
and  John  Fassett  was  clerk  of  the  propriety.  Records 
were  kept,  —  not  folio  volumes  bound  in  calf  and  deposited 
with  dignity  in  an  iron  safe  ;  a  few  leaves  sewed  together 
after  the  fashion  of  a  school-boy's  home-made  writing-book 
sufficed.  Those  records  are  interesting  now.  That  little 
collection  of  eight-inch  square  leaves,  now  time-worn,  —  for 
it  is  a  century  old,  — is  bound  in  the  first  part  of  the  first 
volume  of  the  town  records,  and  one  can  soon  read  it 
through  ;  but  the  transactions  recorded  there  are  full  of  im 
portance. 

The  first  public  meeting  in  Bennington,  whose  minutes  are 
preserved,  —  a  proprietors'  meeting,  —  was  held  on  Feb.  11, 
1762,  —  one  year  lacking  a  day  before  the  treaty  was  signed 
ceding  the  province  of  Canada  to  the  British  Government, 
and  so  ending  the  formidable  French  war.  Therefore,  an 
ticipating  the  termination  of  this  war,  immigration  had 
begun  to  press  upward  along  the  western  slopes  of  these 
mountains.  The  first  immigration  had  reached  here  seven 
months  and  twenty-three  days  before  this  proprietors' 
meeting,  June  18,  1761.  It  consisted  of  the  families  of 


22  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Peter  Harwood,  Eleazer  Harwood,  Samuel  Pratt  and 
Timothy  Pratt,  from  Amherst,  Mass. ;  Leonard  Robinson 
and  Samuel  Robinson,  Jr.,  from  Hardwick,  Mass.  The 
party,  including  women  and  dhildren,  numbered  twenty- 
two.  During  that  summer  and  fall  other  families  to  the 
number  of  twenty  or  thirty  came  into  town,  among  whom 
were  those  of  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.,  and  John  Fassett, 
from  Hardwick,  Mass.  ;  Joseph  Safford,  John  Smith,  John 
Burnham,  and  Benajah  Rood,  from  Newint,  Conn. ;  Elisha 
Field,  and  Samuel  Montague,  from  Sunderland,  Mass.  ; 
James  Breakenridge,  Ebenezer  Wood,  Samuel  and  Oliver 
Scott,  Joseph  Wickwire,  and  Samuel  Atwood.  In  that 
winter,  January  12,  the  first  child  was  born  in  the  settle 
ment,  Benjamin  Harwood,  a  very  worthy  and  intelligent 
citizen,  whose  death  did  not  occur  until  January  22,  1851, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty-nine  years,  connecting  vividly 
that  distant  period  with  our  times. 

Our  early  immigrants  had  apparently  to  themselves 
travelled  much  further  to  reach  the  place  of  their  destina 
tion  than  the  present  generation  would  have  to  do  to  go 
over  the  same  ground.  One  of  the  descendants  of  the 
Montagues,  a  resident  in  Sunderland,  Mass.,  whence  the 
original  inhabitants  in  this  town  of  that  name  came,  in  an 
swer  to  an  inquiry,  suggests  that  his  relative  did  not 
probably  remove  to  Bennington,  but  farther  north  toward 
Canada.  There  can  be  no  reasonable  doubt  that  the  rela 
tive  was  the  same  Samuel  Montague  who  was  the  modera 
tor  of  the  first  town  meeting  here  of  which  we  have  record. 
The  mistake,  it  is  probable,  originated  in  an  impression, 
prevalent  in  the  communities  our  immigrants  left,  that 
they,  in  removing  to  Bennington,  were  proceeding  not  only 
to  an  unknown  but  also  to  a  very  far-distant  northern 
clime.  The  first  j^ear  of  the  settlement  must  have  been  one 
of  much  privation  and  hardship ;  the  tenements,  huts  with 


HARDSHIPS    OF   THE   FIRST  SETTLERS.  23 

logs  for  walls,  and  bark  and  brush  for  the  roof;  the  settlers 
numerous  the  first  winter,  —  a  part  women  and  children.  In 
a  tavern-bill  preserved  of  Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  at  a 
tavern  in  Charlemout,  Mass.,  about  midway  011  the  route 
from  Hard  wick,  Mass.,  to  this  place,  there  is  also  a  charge 
for  wheat  as  early  as  April  9,  1761 ;  and  the  inference  may 
be  that  he  was  then  on  his  way  here,  some  two  months  in 
advance  of  the  removal  of  families,  to  prepare  as  much  as 
possible  for  their  comfort.  The  seed  for  sowing  the  land 
must  be  brought  upon  horses  for  many  miles ;  also  pro 
visions  for  subsistence  before  crops  could  be  grown  here. 
The  season,  however,  appears  to  have  been  uncommonly 
mild ;  the  setting  in  of  winter  providentially  postponed  to 
an  unusually  late  period. 


CHAPTEE    II. 

FIRST  MEETING-HOUSE. 

HE  first  public  meeting,  according  to  the  proprie- 
v*    tors'  records  as  preserved,  has  been  incidentally 
mentioned.     The  first  transaction  at  this  meeting, 
after    electing    the    proper    officers,   was   as   fol 
lows  :  — 

"  Chose  Deacon  Joseph  Safford,  Esq.,  Samuel  Robinson,  John 
Fassett,  Ebenezer  Wood,  Elisha  Field,  John  Burnham,  and  Abra 
ham  Newton,  a  committee  to  look  out  a  place  to  set  the  meeting 
house." 

By  the  record  of  an  adjourned  proprietors'  meeting, 
February  26,  1762,  we  find  the  place  to  set  the  meeting 
house  determined  by  the  following  vote  :  — 

"  The  north-east  corner  of  the  right  of  laud,  No.  27,  as  near  the 
corner  as  may  be  thought  convenient." 

No  public  plot  had  then  been  laid  out ;  it  was  evidently 
assumed  that  the  place  for  the  meeting-house  should  first 
be  selected,  and  then  that  roads  and  other  public  improve 
ments  should  adjust  themselves  somewhat  to  that.  May 
14,  1766,  it  was 

"  Voted,  To  give  six  acres,  out  of  the  sixty^four  acres  called  the 
town-plot,  for  three  acres  where  the  meeting-house  now  stands, 
for  public  use." 

"Voted,  That  the  road  from  the  meeting-house  to  Samuel  Saf- 
ford's  will  be  the  main  road,  and  shall  be  four  rods  wide." 


COST   OF   THE   FIRST  MEETING-HOUSE.  25 

We  find  subsequently  in  the  records  the  three-acre  lot  on 
which  the  meeting-house  stood,  termed  the  meeting-house 
plot ;  and  at  a  still  later  date  the  widened  road  northward 
designated  as  "  The  Parade."  The  first  meeting-house 
stood  somewhere  midway  between  the  site  of  the  present 
one  and  the  Walloomsac  House. 

The  precise  date  of  the  building  of  the  first  meeting 
house  is  not  known.  It  was  built  in  time  to  be  occupied 
on  or  before  the  year  1766.  The  cost  of  it,  in  the  first 
instance,  appears  to  have  been  met,  in  part,  by  a  tax  upon 
the  several  rights  of  land,  and  in  part  by  a  subscription. 
A  vote  is  recorded, 

"  To  send  a  petition  to  the  General  Court  of  the  province  of 
New  Hampshire  to  raise  a  tax  on  all  the  lands  in  Bennington, 
resident  and  non-resident,  to  build  a  meeting-house,  and  school- 
house,  and  mills,  and  for  highways  and  bridges." 

In  a  meeting  of  later  date,  May  9,  1763,  it  was 

"  Voted,  To  raise  six  dollars  on  each  "right  of  land  in  Bennington 
for  building  a  meeting-house  and  school-house." 

The  sixty-four  rights  of  land,  according  to  this  tax, 
would  raise  three  hundred  and  eighty-four  dollars.  The 
following  minute  upon  the  town  records  will  show  that 
the  meeting-house  was  in  an  unfinished  state,  and  that  a 
subscription  had  had  something  to  do  with  its  erection  :  — 

"October  22,  17G8.  — This  may  notify  all  persons  who  have 
signed  a  subscription  for  building  a  meeting-house  in  this  place, 
to  meet  at  said  meeting-house,  to  see  if  they  will  do  anything 
further  toward  the  finishing  of  the  meeting-house.  To  see  if 
they  will  lay  out  the  pew  ground,  and  dispose  of  the  same  by 
public  vend  lie." 

There  is  preserved,  in  the  possession  of  Dewey  Hub- 
bell,  a  subscription  list  to  further  finish  the  meeting- 


26  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

house.  This  undertaking  was  in  1774,  some  ten  years 
after  the  building  of  the  house.  In  this  subscription  list 
are  some  one  hundred  and  sixty  names,  and  subscriptions 
as  high  as  ten  pounds,  others  as  low  as  ten  shillings.  The 
agreement  was,  that  if  the  finishing  and  repairing  cost 
more  than  the  aggregate  subscription,  the  additional 
amount  should  be  paid  by  the  subscribers  in  the  propor 
tion  of  their  subscription,  and  if  less,  the  balance  should 
be  deducted  from  their  subscription  in  the  same  propor 
tion. 

The  size  of  this  meeting-house  was  fifty  by  forty,  with 
the  addition  of  a  porch  twenty  feet  square.  There  was  no 
steeple.  The  porch  extended  upward  to  the  roof,  and  in  the 
upper  story  a  school  was  kept  for  some  years.  In  1797, 
Miss  Sedgwick,  sister  of  the  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.  D.,  taught 
school  there;  in  1798-9,  Miss  Thankful  Hunt,  sister  of 
Jonathan  Hunt,  was  the  teacher ;  she  afterward  returned 
to  Northampton,  Mass.  There  were  galleries  on  three 
sides  of  the  house  ;  and  square  pews  ornamented  with  lit 
tle  railings  in  the  place  of  a  top-panel,  the  balusters  of 
which  would  be  occasionally  loose  so  as  to  turn  round  in 
their  places,  and  furnish  a  little  diversion  for  listless  young 
worshippers.  There  was  a  sounding-board  over  the  pulpit ; 
three  doors  for  entrance  and  exit,  —  one,  through  the  porch 
on  the  east  side,  toward  the  burying-ground  and  opposite 
the  pulpit,  which  was  in  the  middle  of  the  west  side  ;  and 
two  other  doors  opposite  each  other  on  the  north  and  south 
sides  respectively.  The  building  lengthwise  stood  north 
and  south,  with  the  roof  sloping  to  the  east  and  west ; 
there  was  a  main  aisle  through  the  centre  from  the  pulpit 
to  the  porch  running  east  and  west,  and  aisles  from  the 
north  and  south  (end)  doors  going  round  and  so  arranged 
as  to  leave  a  tier  of  wall  pews  all  round  the  house,  and 
two  tiers  of  square  pews  on  each  side  of  the  main  aisle  in 


MEMORABLE   SCENES.  27 

the  body  of  the  house.  In  the  front  seat  of  the  gallery 
opposite,  and  on  either  side  of  the  pulpit,  s^it  the  singers. 
That  there  was  not  always  clue  order  in  the  house  in  time 
of  worship  appears  from  an  entry  in  the  town  records, 
March  26,  1777:  - 

"  Voted,  That  such  persons  as  do  continue  playing  in  the  meet 
ing  on  the  Lord's  day,  or  in  the  worship  of  God,  be  complained 
of  to  the  committee  of  safety  for  said  town,  who  are  hereby  au 
thorized  to  fine  them  discretionary." 

In  this  meeting-house  proprietors'  meetings  were  repeat 
edly  held  ;  also  town  meetings  ;  even  after  the  erection  of 
the  court-house,  town  meetings  were  held  occasionally 
here.  In  this  first  meeting-house  the  people  met  to  wor 
ship  God  and  give  thanks  after  the  taking  of  Ticonderoga, 
when  that  redoubtable  fortress  obeyed  the  summons  of 
Ethan  Allen  u  to  surrender,  in  the  name  of  Jehovah  and 
the  Continental  Congress."  Col.  Allen  being  a  resident 
of  Bennington,  and  having  returned  with  other  officers  to 
be  present  at  the  services,  this  circumstance  gave  peculiar 
interest  to  the  occasion.  From  the  pulpit  under  that 
sounding-board  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey  preached  a  war  ser 
mon  the  Sunday  preceding  the  Bennington  battle.  To 
this  meeting-house  the  Hessians  and  others,  prisoners  cap 
tured  in  that  battle,  were  brought  for  safe  custody.  It  was 
as  they  were  marching  in  solemn  sadness  hither,  and  while 
they  were  passing  the  Catamount  Tavern,  near  by,  that 
"  Landlord  Fay  "  stepped  out,  and  with  a  gracious  bow  in 
formed  the  prisoners  that  the  dinner  was  then  ready,  which 
their  officers,  confident  of  gaining  the  victory,  had  haugh 
tily  ordered  by  a  message  sent  in  the  da}r  before.  In  the 
same  meeting-house  the  first  Legislature  of  Vermont  held 
its  June  session,  1778.  The  General  Assembly  of  1779, 
also  that  of  1780,  and  in  some  instances  successive  Legis- 


28  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

latures,  met  here.1  On  the  journal  of  the  General  Assem 
bly  of  1778,  under  date  of  June  5,  is  the  following  rec 
ord  :  — 

"  Voted,  That  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey  be  presented  with  the  com 
pliments  of  this  House,  to  desire  him  to  pray  with  the  Assembly 
at  their  opening  in  the  morning,  for  this  present  session." 

In  this  first  meeting-house,  also,  for  want  of  room  in 
the  court-house,  was  conducted  the  famous  trial  of  Whitney 
and  Tibbits  for  the  alleged  wanton  murder  of  the  Indian, 
Stephen  Gordon,  —  in  which  trial  Pierrepoint  Edwards  was 
successfully  employed  for  the  defence,  coming  all  the  way 
from  New  Haven,  Conn.,  for  that  purpose. 

But  not  alone  for  secular  transactions  and  scenes  was 
this  primitive  sanctuary  memorable.  Of  its  spiritual  his 
tory  there  shall  be  a  more  full  relation  hereafter.  Let  it 
suffice  to  say  that  from  beneath  its  sounding-board  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dewey  preached  during  his  ministry  here ;  also 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Swift.  Within  its 
walls  the  fathers  and  mothers  of  the  church,  and  of  the 
churches,  in  this  town,  met  together  for  public  worship  ; 
and  here  were  witnessed  signal  displays  of  the  reviving 
and  converting  grace  of  God.  In  it  was  held  for  long  the 
Friday  praj^er-meeting,  a  weekly  meeting  held  in  the  after 
noon,  and  remembered  with  interest,  and  often  alluded  to, 
by  aged  inhabitants  of  the  town  familiar  with  the  memora 
ble  days  of  the  old  first  meeting-house.  A  few  incidents 
connected  with  this  Friday  meeting  will  be  found  in  sub 
sequent  pages  of  this  volume. 

1  The  first  Legislature  of  Vermont  was  organized  and  held  a  session  in  March 
(1778),  in  Windsor,  and  adjourned  to  hold  another  session  in  Bennington.  It 
met  according  to  adjournment,  and  opened  in  form  (June  4,  1778)  at  the  house 
of  Captain  Stephen  Fay,  the  Catamount  Tavern,  and  adjourned  to  meet  the  next 
morning  in  the  meeting-house  where  the  remainder  of  the  session  was  held. 
The  Bennington  session  of  the  General  Assembly  of  1799  was  held  also  by 
adjournment  of  a  Windsor  session  of  the  Assembly. 


FAREWELL    TO    THE    OLD    MEETING-HOUSE.  29 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Swift's  ministry 
here,  and  before  the  installation  of  his  successor,  the  old 
meeting-house  was  superseded  by  the  new  one,  and  removed 
away.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  sermon  of 
the  Rev.  Daniel  Marsh,  preached  at  the  dedication  of  the 
new  meeting-house  :  — 

"  We  can  say  of  the  new  meeting-house,  it  far  exceeds  the  for 
mer  in  magnitude,  riches,  and  elegance ;  but  can  we  hope  the 
glory  of  the  latter  house  shall  be  greater  than  that  of  the  former 
in  the  gracious  presence  of  God?  Though  the  latter  Jewish  tem 
ple  was  far  inferior  to  the  former  in  its  earthly  splendor  and 
glory,  yet  the  latter  exceeded  the  former  in  glory  in  being  hon 
ored  with  the  personal  presence  of  Christ,  and  his  promising  that 
in  that  place  he  would  give  peace.  But  can  we,  my  brethren, 
hope  for  greater  special  blessings  in  this  latter  house  than  your 
fathers  and  yourselves  have  experienced  in  the  former?  You  can 
look  back  to  the  ancient  building  and  remember  the  many  pre 
cious  showers  of  divine  blessing  which  have  there  been  shed 
down  from  the  Father  of  mercies.  You  can  remember  the  gra 
cious  outpourings  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  which  fired  the  hearts  of 
his  people  with  love,  which  caused  sinners^m  Zion  to  tremble, 
and  many  souls  in  captivity  to  sin  and  Satan  to  be  set  at  liberty, 
and  shout  the  praises  of  Zion's  King !  You  can  remember  the  many 
joyful  hours  you  have  spent  in  the  demolished  house  of  God,  and 
take  your  final  farewell.  But  never,  no,  never,  will  it  be  erased 
from  your  remembrance  how  often  your  blessed  Jesus  hath  met 
you,  mingled  with  you,  and  communed  with  you  there ;  how 
often  you  haw  sat  under  his  banner  of  love  with  great  delight, 
and  his  fruit,  »vas  sweeter  than  the  honeycomb  to  your  taste. 
With  mingled  emotions  of  joy  and  sorrow,  do  you  not  now  take 
your  last  leave  of  yonder  spot  of  earth  which  had  been  devoted  to 
the  service  of  your  God  for  this  more  spacious  building?" 

There  appears  to  have  been,  for  some  portion  of  the  time 
at  least,  a  place  of  common  resort,  apart  from  the  meeting 
house,  for  social  religious  services  between  the  preaching 
services  on  the  Sabbath.  A  communication  in  the  "  Vermont 


30  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Gazette  "  of  May  3,  1803,  mentions  such  a  place,  where, 
during  the  intermission,  "  the  church  generally  convened  to 
pass  that  period  in  suitable  exercises  and  prayer."  It  is 
related  that  Mrs.  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.,  had  such  meet 
ings  in  her  house,  and  also  the  Friday  meetings,  if  not 
constantly,  for  a  period  at  least,  on  frequent  occasions. 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  CHURCH. 

I.  ORGANIZATION.  —  It  is  time  we  leave  the  external 
house,  and  turn  our  attention  to  the  body  of  believers,  to  the 
efforts,  and  the  divine  blessing  upon  them,  to  gather,  main 
tain,  and  perpetuate  the  ordinances,  the  assembly  of  saints 
and  the  body  and  succession  of  Christian  people.  The 
high  use  of  the  house  of  worship  is  as  a  home  for  the  family 
of  brethren  and  sisters  in  Christ,  and  the  sphere  of  their 
concentrated  spiritual  labor  for  the  salvation  of  souls. 
Hitherto  I  have  consulted  more  prominently  the  pro 
prietors'  records  and  town  records ;  let  us  turn  now  to 
the  church  records. 

We  find  that  the  church  of  Christ  in  Bennington  — 
which  was  the  original  designation,  without  any  denomina 
tional  epithet,  of  the  first  church  organized  within  the 
limits  of  the  present  State  of  Vermont  —  came  into  existence 
on  December  3,  1762.  —  The  next  was  the  church  in  New- 
bur}^  organized  in  September,  1764.- — As  we  have  seen, 
early  in  February,  1761,  the  committee  was  appointed,  by 
vote  in  proprietors'  meeting,  to  select  the  site  for  the 
meeting-house  ;  early  in  December  of  the  same  year  the 
first  church  was  organized. 

The  entire  minutes  of  the  record  of  organization  are  as 
follows :  — 

"  BENNINGTON,  December  3,  1762. 

"The  church  of  Christ  from  Hardwick,  and  the  church  of  Christ 
from  Sunderland,  met  together  and  after  prayers  agreed  upon 
and  voted :  — 


32  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

"  1.  That  said  church  from  Harclwick  and  said  church  from 
Sunderland  join  together  and  become  one  body,  or  church  of 
Christ  in  Bennington. 

"  2.  That  John  Fassett  shall  be  the  clerk  to  keep  the  records  of 
the  aforesaid  Hardwick  and  Sunderland  churches,  and  also  now 
Benniugton  church  records. 

"  3.  It  is  agreed  upon  and  voted  by  the  church  of  Christ  in  Ben- 
nington,  that  they  make  an  exception  in  the  fourth  paragraph,  in 
the  eleventh  chapter  in  Cambridge  Platform,  in  respect  of  using 
the  civil  law  to  support  the  gospel ;  and  also  the  ninth  paragraph 
in  the  seventeenth  chapter,  in  respect  of  the  civil  magistrate's 
coercive  [co-hersive]  power. 

"  4.  Voted,  To  receive  in  Joseph  Safford  and  Anne  Safford  his 
wife  into  full  communion  with  this  church. 

"5.  Voted,  To  receive  Stephen  Story  into  full  communion  with 
this  church. 

"  6.  Voted,  To  receive  Bethiah  Burnham,  wife  of  John  Burnham, 
into  full  communion  with  this  church. 

"  7.  Voted,  To  receive  Eleanor  Smith,  wife  of  John  Smith,  into 
full  communion  with  this  church." 

Antecedents.  —  Of    these     Sunderland    and     Hardwick 
churches  more  is  to  be  said  hereafter ;    it  is  now  chiefly 
to  be  noticed  that  .there  were  already  churches  existing 
here,  though  not  here  organized  ;  and  it  is  to  be  inferred 
that  church  privileges  were  here  enjoyed.     Capt.  Samuel 
Robinson,  Sen.,  and  James  Fay  were  or  had  been  deacons 
of  the  Hardwick  Church.1     According  to  tradition,  John 
Fassett  way  or  had  been  deacon,  probabl}"  of  the  !       ""wick 
Church.     Joseph  Safford,  who  came  here  in  the  summer  or  ' 
fall  of  1861,  had  been  deacon  of  a  church  in  Newint,  Conn., 
as  appears  by  records  of  that  church  preserved  by  his  de 
scendants  in  this  town.     By  these  records  it  also  apooun 
that  Bethiah  Burnham,  Ann  Safford,  wife  of  Joseph  Safi*  • 
John  Smith  and  Eleanor  Smith,  who  united  with  the  Ben 
ir'ngton  church  at  the  time  of  its  organization,  were  from  the 

1  Hardwick  Centennial  Address  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Paige. 


f  or  THE    ' 

(     IWVEJ. 

^^L 

ORIGINAL   MEMBERS    OF    THE    CHURCH.  33 

church  in  Newint.  The  attorney  for  Redding  was  John 
Burnham,  Jr.,  a  lawyer  evidently  of  some  influence  and  force 
of  character,  and  we  find  upon  the  Newint  church  records 
the  name  of  his  father,  John  Burnham,  and  also  of  Bethiah 
Burnham,  Jr.  Stephen  Story,  one  of  the  original  members 
of  the  Bennington  church,  and  deceased  1766,  in  the  seven 
tieth  year  of  his  age,  had,  as  appears  upon  his  grave-stone 
in  our  burying-ground,  been  a  deacon  somewhere.  From 
records  now  in  Sunderlaud,  Mass.,  we  learn  that  Experi 
ence  Richardson,  Elisha  Field,  Jonathan  Scott,  and  Samuel 
Montague  were  members  of  the  Sunderland  church  before 
its  removal  to  Bennington.  Preparatory,  therefore,  to  the 
organization  of  the  Bennington  church,  there  must  have 
been  a  stalwart  community  of  Christian  men  and  families, 
who  had  arrived  a  twelvemonth,  more  or  less,  before ;  and 
who  from  the  first  of  their  arrival  had  been  recognized  mu 
tually  as  the  followers  of  Christ,  meeting  together  on  the 
Sabbath  and  at  other  stated  times  for  religious  worship,  and 
celebrating  together  the  communion  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 

Original  Members.  —  Of  the  members  of  the  Bennington 
church,  at  its  organization,  so  far  as  the  names  are  pre 
served,  there  were  thirty-two  males  and  twenty-five  females, 
making  a  total  of  fifty-seven. — The  number  indicates  a  large 
influx  of  people  the  first  year  and  a  half  of  the  settlement 
of  the  town.  —  The  names  are  as  follows  :  George  Abbott, 
George  Abbott,  Jr.,  James  Breakeuridge,  William  Breaken- 
ridge,  David  Doane,  Jonathan  Eastman,  John  Fassett,  Dan 
iel  Fay,  James  Fay,  James  Fay,  Jr.,  Elisha  Field,  Jacob 
Fisk,  Benjamin  Harwood,  Eleazar  Harwood,  Zechariah  Har 
wood,  Aaron  Leonard  (Martha,  his  wife,  was  one  of  the 
separating  members  from  the  old  church  in  Sunderland), 
Samuel  Montague,  Samuel  Pratt,  Jedidiah  Rice,  Oliver  Rice, 
John  Roberts,  Samuel  Robinson,  Silas  Robinson,  Joseph 
Saiford,  Simeon  Sears,  Jonathan  Scott,  Jonathan  Scott,  Jr., 


34  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Elijah  Story,  Stephen  Story,  Samuel  Tubbs,  Benjamin  Whip- 
pie,  Ichabocl  Stratton,  Martha  Abbott,  Rebecca  Abbott, 
Pearce  Atwoocl,  Bethiah  Burnham,  Elizabeth  Fay,  Lydia 
Fay,  Mehitable  Fay,  Elizabeth  Fisk,  Bridget  Harwood, 
Elizabeth  Harwood,  Martha  Montague,  Marcy  Newton, 
Baty  Pratt,  Elizabeth  Pratt,  Hannah  Rice,  Experience 
Richardson,  Elizabeth  Roberts,  Marcy  Robinson,  Ann  Saf- 
ford,  Elizabeth  Scott,  Eleanor  Smith,  Sarah  Story,  Hepzi- 
bah  Whipple,  Prudence  Whipple,  Martha  Wickwire. 

Of  six  of  the  names  in  this  list,  it  may  be  interesting  to 
know  the  number  of  individuals  of  the  same  name  on  the 
church  roll  for  the  first  century  of  its  existence.  This 
enumeration  is  as  follows :  Sears,  twelve ;  Fassett,  thir 
teen  ;  Safford,  sixteen ;  Fay,  seventeen ;  Scott,  twenty ; 
Harwood,  fifty-one  ;  Robinson,  fifty-six.  Of  names  not  on 
the  list  of  original  members,  instances  of  highest  enumer 
ation  of  individuals  are  as  follows  :  Hubbell,  and  Nichols, 
each,  twelve  ;  Bingham,  thirteen  ;  Hinsdill,  sixteen  ;  Hath 
away,  nineteen  ;  Henry,  twenty-one  ;  Hicks,  twenty-five. 

II.  THE  WESTFIELD  CHURCH  AND  PASTOR.  —  At  the  first 
business  meeting  of  the  church  after  its  organization,  a 
standing  committee  was  appointed. 

"  Chose  brethren  Joseph  Safford,  Elislia  Field,  and  John  Fussett 
as  helps  to  examine  into  persons'  principles  who  offer  to  join 
themselves  unto  this  church ;  and  also  to  provide  preaching." 

At  the  business  meeting  May  24,  1763, 

"  Gave  the  Eev.  Mr.  Jeclicliah  Dewey  a  call  to  the  work  of  the 
ministry  among  us." 

Ministers  were  not  so  numerous  then  as  now.  Of  Mr. 
Dewey  they  had  heard,  and  that  there  was  a  possibility  of 
obtaining  him,  and  for  him  they  sent. 


MINUTES    OF   THE    COUNCIL.  35 

But  they  were  in  pursuit  not  only  of  a  minister,  but  of 
more  members  also ;  they  had  already  absorbed  two 
churches,  and  now  they  essayed  a  third,  the  church  at 
"VVestlicld,  Massachusetts.  They,  however,  preferred  to  take 
minister,  church,  and  all. 

Westfield  Council.  —  That  they  might  proceed  very  or 
derly,  an  ecclesiastical  council  was  employed.  The  partic 
ulars  of  this  council  will  be  sufficiently  given  here  by  insert 
ing  the  minutes  respecting  it,  preserved  upon  the  Benning- 
ton  church  records.  They  are  as  follows  :  — 

"  The  act  of  the  Council  at  Westjield,  August  14,  1763. 

"  At  a  council  convened  at  Westfield  by  letters  missive !  from  the 
church  of  Christ  at  Beuuington :  Present,  John  Palmer,  pastor 
of  the  church  of  Christ  in  Scotland  (Connecticut)  ;  Israel  Haw- 
ley,  pastor  of  the  church  of  Christ  in  Sufflelcl  (Connecticut)  ; 
Jonathan  Underwood  and  Stephen  Remington,  messengers  of  the 
church  at  Suffield;  the  church  at  Beunington  being  present  by 
three  delegated  brethren ;  together  with  the  church  at  Westfield. 
The  council  was  received  into  fellowship.  Chose  John  Palmer 
for  moderator,  and,  after  solemn  prayer  to  Almighty  God  for 
divine  assistance  and  direction,  proceeded  :  — 

"  The  first  thing  laid  before  us  was  the  proposed  contract  be 
tween  the  church  at  Westfield  and  the  church  at  Nine  Partners, 
respecting  the  church  at  Westfield  removing  to  Nine  Partners, 
and  becoming  one  church  with  them ;  and  in  the  consideration 
thereof  the  council  found  said  contract  was  made  void  by  consent 

l  The  assembling  of  this  council  was  a  laborious  undertaking.  Carrying  letters 
by  post  was  then  unknown  in  these  parts.  In  1783,  the  Governor  and  Council  of 
Vermont  established  a  weekly  post  (twenty  years  after  the  summoning  of  the 
Westfield  council)  between  Bennington  and  Albany,  N.  Y.  The  next  year  the 
Legislature  established  live  post-offices ;  one  each  at  Bennington,  Rutland,  Brat- 
tleborough,  Windsor,  and  Newbury.  Between  these  several  places  a  mail  was 
transmitted  once  a  \veek  each  way,  and  Anthony  Has  well,  Esq.,  of  Bennington, 
was  Postmaster  General. — (Thompson's  Vermont.)  By  a  church  record  of  1780,  of 
Bennington  church,  a  council  was  called,  and  a  messenger  appointed  to  go  in 
person  and  carry  the  letters  missive.  The  messengers  of  the  Westfield  council 
must  have  gone  in  person  with  the  letters  missive  to  the  invited  Connecticut 
churches. 


36  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

both  of  the  church  at  Westfield,  and  the  church  at  Nine  Part 
ners.  l 

"  Second,  the  request  of  the  church  at  Bennington  to  the  church 
at  Westfield,  namely,  that  the  church  at  Bennington  and  the 
church  at  Westfield  unite  and  become  one  church  under  Mr.  Jed- 
idiah  Dewey,  pastor  of  the  church  at  Westfield;  and,  in  consider 
ation  of  the  circumstances  of  both  churches,  the  council  thought 
advisable  for  the  church  at  Westfield  to  answer  the  above  said  re 
quest,  which  they  did  by  solemn  conveuanting  according  to  the 
above  proposal. 

"  1.  The  church  at  Westfield  consented  to  join  with  the  church 
at  Bennington  by  solemn  vote  ;  2.  The  church  at  Benningtou  did 
the  same  by  vote ;  3.  Both  together  signified  their  consent  to  be 
come  one  church  under  the  pastoral  care  and  charge  of  said  Jedi- 
diah  Dewey,  pastor,  with  uplifted  hands  before  God. 

JOHN  PALMER. 

ISRAEL  HAWLEY. 

JONATHAN  UNDERWOOD. 

STEPHEN  REMINGTON." 

The  following  further  minute  touching  these  proceed 
ings  is  on  the  Bennington  records  :  — 

"  September  12,  1763.  —The  church  of  Christ,  in  Benuington, 
being  legally  warned,  met  together ;  and,  after  prayers,  the  com 
mittee  which  was  sent  to  Westfield  made  their  return  with  their 
doings ;  and  the  church  unanimously  voted  their  concurrence  with 
the  above  said  council,  and  the  doings  of  the  above  said  council, 
with  uplifted  hands." 

III.  EARLY  GROWTH  OF  THE  CHURCH.  —  The  Ben 
nington  church  was  now  fairly  on  its  way.  The  Sunder- 
land  brethren,  the  Hardwick  brethren,  the  Westfield 
brethren,  and  those  here  from  Amherst,  Mass.,  Newint, 
Conn.,  and  other  parishes,  —  who  in  those  parishes  respec 
tively  felt  feeble  and  doubtful,  and  here  also  in  the  infancy 

1  A  family  tradition  has  Mr.  Dewey  preaching  to  the  church  at  Nine  Part 
ners  temporarily  at  this  time. 


ENLARGEMENT  OF  THE  CHURCH.  37 

of  the  settlement  and  the  embryo  state  of  its  institutions 
had  bat  just  made  a  beginning — •  were  now  united  to 
gether  in  one  church,  in  the  land  of  their  choice  and  where 
many  of  them  expected  to  pass  the  remainder  of  their 
days.;  where  the  whole  land  was  theirs,  and  the  future  in 
vited  them  to  labor  and  hardship,  but  with  the  prospect 
of  enlargement  and  ample  reward.  They  had  obtained  a 
minister  in  whom  they  had  great  confidence.  At  once  we 
see  in  the  brief  and  imperfect  church  records  new  life- 
startings.  In  the  same  month.  September,  1763,  after  the 
ratification  at  Bennington  of  the  doings  of  the  council  at 
Westficld,  we  find  a  record  of  the  return  to  full  agreement 
and  fellowship  with  the  church  of  a  brother  who  had  been 
under  discipline.  He  had  departed  from  his  profession 
of  faith  and  covenant  with  the  church  "  by  denying  its 
article  of  baptism  and  rejecting  his  own  infant  baptism  ; " 
but  he  now  returned,  having  surrendered  his  objections, — 
or  his  objections  having  surrendered  him,  —  and  this  breach 
in  the  fellowship  of  the  church  was  healed. 

In  the  next  month,  "  October  2,  then  Abraham  Newton  was  re 
ceived  into  full  fellowship  or  communion  with  this  church;  and 
also  the  wife  of  Benajah  Rude,  from  the  church  at  Newint,  was 
received  into  this  church." 

Thus  onward.  Successive  entries  in  the  records,  at  short 
intervals,  inform  us  that  the  church  grew  ;  there  being  fre 
quent  and  ofttimes  numerous  additions  to  it.  Take  one 
page  of  the  records  as  an  example  :  — 

'•'Jan.  3,  17G5.  — Then  Ebenezer  Wood,  Timothy  Pratt,  Mary 
Story,  wife  to  Stephen  Story,  and  Margaret  Harwoocl,  wife  to 
Peter  Harwood,  were  all  received  to  full  communion  with  this 
church."  "Jan.  11,  17G5.  —  Then  John  Smith,  Matthew  Scott, 
Thomas  Henderson,  Esther  Pratt,  wife  to  Samuel  Pratt,  and  Mary 
Fassett,  wife  to  John  Fassett,  were  all  received  to  full  com 
munion  with  this  church."  "March  3,  1765. — Then  Peter  Har- 


38  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

wood  was  received  to  full  communion  with  this  church."  "April 
4,  1765.  —  Then  Eebecca  Robinson,  wife  to  Leonard  Robinson, 
Hannah  Abbott,  Bersliaba  Scott,  wife  to  Oliver  Scott,  Joseph 
Richardson,  Hepzibah  Wood,  Marcy  Robinson,  and  Timothy 
Abbott  were  all  received  into  full  communion  with  this  church." 

There  are  preserved  upon  the  records,  imperfect  as  they 
must  be,  the  names  of  seventy-two  individuals  added  to 
the  church  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Dewey.  Of  these, 
nearly  half,  thirty-six,  were  received  in  1765.  That  must 
have  been,  therefore,  a  year  of  religious  revival  and  great 
spiritual  prosperity.  This  was  the  fourth  year  or  there 
about  of  the  settlement  of  the  town. 

From  lists  extant  there  appear  to  have  been  by  June, 
1765,  about  one  hundred  men  in  the  town.  About  fifty  men, 
according  to  the  records,  became  connected  with  the  church. 
The  condition  of  the  community  at  this  time  is  thus  stated 
in  the  "  Vermont  Historical  Magazine  "  :  — 

"  By  the  year  1765  a  large  portion  of  the  town  had  become  oc 
cupied  by  industrious  settlers  from  Massachusetts  and  Connecti 
cut,  who  had  cleared  much  of  the  land,  erected  dwelling-houses 
and  barns,  w*ith  mills,  opened  and  worked  highways,  and  estab 
lished  schools  for  the  instruction  of  children  and  youth,  and 
were  living  in  a  comfortable  and  thriving  condition." 

Bancroft,  in  his  "History  of  the  United  States,"  referring 
to  a  letter  of  Gov.  Hutchinson  to  Gov.  Pownal  of  July  10, 
1765,  speaks  of  Bennington  thus  :  — 

"Men  of  New  England  of  a  superior  sort,  etc.,  etc.,  had 
formed  already  a  community  of  sixty-seven  families,  in  as  many 
houses,  with  an  ordained  minister;  had  elected  their  own  munic 
ipal  officers;  formed  three  several  public  schools;  set  their 
meeting-house  among  their  primeval  forests  of  beech  and  maple ; 
and,  in  a  word,  enjoyed  the  flourishing  state  which  springs  from 
rural  industry,  intelligence,  and  unaffected  piety."  l 

1  Quoted  in  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


THE    OLD    CHURCH   COVENANT.  39 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Avery,  successor  to  Mr.  Dewey,  in  refer 
ring  to  the  time  of  his  pastorate  generally,  says :  — 

"  There  have  been  seasons  of  especial  awakening  and  attention 
here,  and  in  the  judgment  of  charity  a  happy  number  have  been 
renewed  and  added  to  the  Lord.  This  circumstance  has  con 
tributed  not  a  little  to  the  gaining  them  respect,  and  even  fame 
abroad  as  a  religious  people." 

In  the  year  1765  the  controversy  of  the  inhabitants  with 
New  York  about  their  land  titles  began  to  be  a  matter  of 
public  concern ;  this  would  naturally  interrupt  and  prevent 
for  a  long  time  to  come  special  attention  to  religion. 

IV.  ROLL  OF  THE  CHURCH  FOR  ITS  FIRST  CENTURY.  — 
With  regard  to  the  roll  of  the  church  for  the  first  century, 
it  must  be  stated  that  it  is  far  from  complete.  A  covenant 
has  been  found  among  some  papers  thrown  into  the  street, 
which  would  seem  to  have  been  adopted  and  signed  at  or 
near  the  time  of  the  first  formation  of  the  church.  This 
paper  doubtless  got  among  the  condemned  pile  entirely  by 
mistake.  So  soon  as  it  was  discovered  it  was  preserved 
with  religious  care.  It  is  interesting  and  comprehensive, 
but  too  long  to  be  inserted  here.  A  portion  of  the  docu 
ment,  as  found,  had  been  torn  off  and  lost ;  perhaps  one- 
third  of  the  signatures  were  on  this  lost  portion.  Not  all 
the  names  on  the  part  of  the  covenant  preserved  were  on 
the  church  records,  so  much  of  them  as  has  been  preserved. 
The  same  may  be  true  of  that  portion  of  the  sheet  which 
had  been  lost.  The  names  on  that  lost  portion  of  this 
covenant  may  not  have  been  placed  elsewhere  on  any 
church  record  ;  and  the  fact,  whether  they  were  members 
of  the  church  or  not,  it  may. now  be  impossible  to  ascer 
tain.  There  are  names,  on  the  records  of  the  Newint 
Separate  Church,  of  persons  known  to  have  been  resident 


40  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

here  and  yet  not  on  the  Bennington  church  records.  Such 
persons,  at  least  some  of  them,  were  in  all  probability 
members  of  the  Bennington  church,  but  because  their 
names  were  on  that  part  of  the  covenant  torn  off  and  lost, 
or  for  some  other  reason,  they  have  never  been  put  upon 
any  record  of  the  church.  John  Burnham,  who  was  with 
the  autumn  immigration  of  families  in  the  first  half  year 
of  the  settlement  of  the  town,  and  on  the  committee 
appointed  at  the  first  proprietors'  meeting  to  choose  a  place 
to  set  the  meeting-house,  and  who  was  in  the  military  com 
pany  of  Captain  John  Fassett  in  1764,  has  his  name 
among  the  Newint  church  signatures,  but  not  on  the 
Bennington  church  records.  During  the  whole  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Marsh's  ministry,  a  period  of  about  fifteen  years,  no 
records  were  kept,  so  far  as  is  now  known,  excepting 
some  letters  of  dismission  and  recommendation  of  individ 
uals  kept  on  file,  and  some  names  of  persons  received  to 
the  membership  of  this  church,  jotted  down  here  and  there 
upon  detached  pieces  of  paper.  All  the  names  thus 
accessible  have  been  gathered  up,  and  arranged  in  order  in 
a  book.  Every  document  that  could  yield  any  assistance 
has  been  laid  hold  of  with  incredible  patience  and  zeal  by 
Mr.  Has  well,  late  clerk  of  the  church,  and  so  far  as  was 
thus  possible  the  omissions  in  the  records  have  been  sup 
plied.  In  this  way  many  names  are  preserved  which 
would  otherwise  have  been  lost. 

The  roll  of  members  thus  gathered  yields  the  follow 
ing  analysis  of  statistics  for  the  first  century  of  the 
church :  — 

Number  of  members  at  the  organization  of  the  church, 
including  five  members  added  on  that  day  .     .     .57 


TABLE    OF  ADDITIONS   FOR    THE    CENTURY. 


41 


Admitted  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  J.  Dewey :  — 


1763 
1764 
1765 
1766 
1767 


2 

4 

36 

4 

5 


1768 
1773 
1774 
1775 
1776 


Total 


72 


Without  a  pastor  :  — 

1779 1     |     1780 7 

Total     ....       8 

Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  David  Avery  :  — 

1782 1 

Without  a  pastor,  —  Messrs.  Burton  and  Wood  preach 
ing  temporarily :  — 

.   1784 40          1786 3 

1785 4 

Total     ....     47 

•!• 

Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.D. :  — 

1786 5          1790 8 

1787 4          1792 2 

1789 9          1795 2 

Total     ....     30 

Without   a  pastor,  —  The   Rev.   Messrs.   Davis   and 

Spaulding  preaching  temporarily  :  — 
1803 93 

Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Marsh  :  — 

1811 38          1817 22 

1812 1          1818 1 

1813 1          1819 7 

1816 7 

Total     ....  77 
4* 


42 


MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 


Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Absalom  Peters,  D.D. :  — 

1820 33          1823       .     .     .     . 

1821 13          1824      .     .     .     . 

1822 10          1825       .     .     .     . 

Total     ....     71 
Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark  :  — 

1826 51     1829      .     .     .     . 

1827 101  1830      .     .     .     . 

1828 31 

Total     ....  126 
Pastorate  of  the  Rev.  E.  W.  Hooker,  D.D. :  — 


1832     . 

....     18 

1838 

1833     . 

.     .     .     .     14 

1839 

1834     . 

...     90 

1840 

1835 

5 

1841 

1836     . 

....       7 

1843 

1837     . 

....       2 

184-4- 

Total     .     .     .     .  1 

74 

Pastorate 

of  the'Rev.  J.  J.  Abbott  :  - 

1845     . 

.     .     .     .       1 

184.fi 

Total     .... 

4 

Pastorate 

of  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Hand  :  - 

1848 

....       5 

1851 

1849 

.     .       6 

1852 

1850     . 

....     10 

Total     .... 

41 

Pastorate 

of  the  Rev.  Isaac  Jennings 

:  — 

1853 

....     11 

1858 

1854     , 

....     12 

1859 

1855     . 

....     17 

1860 

1856 

....       7 

1861 

1857 

50 

1862 

6 
11 


2 
7 
8 
5 

14 
2 


10 
10 


31 
1 
3 
2 


Total 


142 


TABLE    OF  OFFICERS.  43 

V.     OFFICERS  DURING  THE  FIRST  CENTURY. 
PASTORS. 

Jedidiah  Dcwey  —  became  pastor  of  the  Bennington 
church  by  the  action  of  the  Westfield  Council,  August  14, 
17G3  ;  deceased  December  21,  1778. 

David  Avery  —  was  installed  May  3,  1780;  dismissed 
June  17,  1783. 

Job  Swift,  D.D.  —  was  installed  May  31,  1786;  dis 
missed  June  7,  1801. 

Daniel  Marsh.  —  By  town  records,  Society  recommended 
"  the  committee  to  hire  Mr.  Marsh  for  the  year  ensuing," 
at  a  meeting  on  March  27,  1805  ;  also  at  a  meeting  May 
12,  1806,  requested  the  church  "to  unite  with  Mr.  Marsh 
in  calling  a  council  for  his  installation."  He  was  dis 
missed  April  25,  1820. 

Daniel  A.  Clark  — was  installed  June  13,  1826;  dis 
missed  October  12,  1830. 

Edward  W.  Hooker,  D.D.  — was  installed  February  21, 
•  1832  ;  dismissed  May  14,  1844. 

J.  J.  Abbott  —  was  installed  April  26,  1845;  dismissed 
August  17,  1847. 

Richard  C.  Hand  —  was  installed  January  20, 1848  ;  dis 
missed  November  26,  1852. 

Isaac  Jennings  —  commenced  his  ministry  here  June  1, 
1853,  and  was  installed  September  21,  1853. 

DEACONS  ELECTED. 

Eleazer  Harwood,  )  T        Q  ,  7Aft  Resigned  Dec.  14,  1770. 

Joseph  Safford,  $Jl  by'  Died  in  1775. 

Moses  Robinson,  )  Died  May  19,  1813. 

John  Wood,  >  May  22,  1789,  R'rad  to  Malone,  N.Y.,  1810. 

Samuel  Safford,  }  Died  March  13,  1813. 

Hezekiah  Armstrong,  Sept.  6,  1812,  Died  March  4,  1816. 

Calvin  Biugham,          July  16,  1813,  Died  Feb.  19,  1831. 


44 


MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 


Jotham  French, 
Stephen  Hinsdill, 

Erwiu  Saflbrd, 


April  12,  1816,     Died  April  30,  1825. 


May  10,  1822, 


Noadiah  Swift, 

Sept.  23,  1831, 

Aaron  Hubbell, 

Dec.  15,  1834, 

Samuel  Chandler, 
John  F.  Robinson, 

I  Sept.  19,  1845. 

George  Lyman, 
John  W.  Vail, 
H.  H.  Harwood, 

VFeb.  14,  1862. 

Dismissed  to  Hinsdillville 
Pres.  ch.  Nov.  19,  1834. 

Removed  to  Philadelphia, 
Pa.,  Sept.,  1830. 

Died  March  21.  I860. 

Died  Dec.  26,  1844. 

Died  Jan.  25,  1862. 


CLERKS. 


John  Fassett,  Dec.  3,  1762. 
Jeremiah  Bingham,  Jan.  13, 1779, 
Jonathan  Robinson,  Jan.  28,1785. 


Aaron  Robinson,  Jan.  24,  1820. 
Wm.  South-worth,  Dec.  12,  1846. 
Wm.  Haswell,  Sept.  28,  1849. 


There  is  no  record  of  the  appointment  of  deacons  at  the 
organization  of  the  church.  There  were  deacons  on  the 
ground  already,  —  deacons  of  the  other  churches  which  had 
removed  hither,  and  were  merged  in  the  Bennington  church, 
and  also  other  deacons.  Upon  the  church  records  no  dea 
cons  appear  for  the  period  1775-1789  ;  Eleazer  Harwood 
had  resigned  in  1778;  Joseph  Safford  died  in  1775;  the 
next  election,  according  to  the  records,  was  in  1789  ;  the 
probability  is,  that  during  this  interval,  1775-1789,  Joseph 
Bingham  and  Nathaniel  Harmon  were  either  acting  dea 
cons,  or  had  been  elected  and  the  election  not  recorded. 
They  both  bore  the  title  of  deacon,  and  were  members  of 
the  church,  and  resident  here  at  that  time,  and  both  excel 
lent  men.  Deacon  Joseph  Bingham  died  November  4, 
1787,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age  ;  and  Deacon 
Harmon,  in  November,  1792,  aged  eighty. 


VI.     INTERESTING  MEMORANDA.  —  Of  the  fourteen  adult 
persons  who  settled  Bennington,  all  with  the  exception  of 


INTERESTING  MEMORANDA.  45 

one,  who  died  at  an  early  age,  were  or  became  church 
members.  The  fourteen  wrere  :  Bridget  Harwood,  Zacha- 
riah  Harwood,  Eleazer  and  Elizabeth  Harwood,  Peter  and 
Margaret  Harwood  ;  Leonard  and  Rebecca  Robinson,  Sam 
uel  and  Hannah  Robinson  ;  Samuel  and  Baty  Pratt,  Timothy 
and  Elizabeth  Pratt. 

The  other  members  of  the  pioneer  company  were  eight 
children  whose  united  ages  were  less  than  twenty-seven 
years.  One  of  these,  an  infant  child  of  Mrs.  Hannah  Rob 
inson,  died ;  of  the  other  seven,  two :  Stephen  Harwood; 
and  Persis  Robinson  (Safford),  united  with  this  church; 
the  other  five  married  and  removed  from  Bennington.  Sam 
uel  Robinson,  Sr., — who  appears  to  have  brought  his  family 
early  in  the  first  half  }Tear  of  the  settlement,  though  not 
with  the  very  first  immigration  of  families,  —  had  six  sons 
and  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  became  members  of  this 
church.  Mrs.  Bridget  Harwood's  four  sons,  who  came  to 
Beunington,  became  also,  with  herself,  members  of  this 
church. 

Mrs.  Bridget  Harwood  was  the  mother  of  nine  children. 
At  the  time  of  her  immigration  to  Bennington  her  husband 
had  deceased  ;  also  one  child  in  infanc}r.  As  already  no 
ticed,  Samuel  Robinson,  Sr.,  had  nine  children,  who  came 
to  Bennington  ;  these  composed  his  family,  one  child  hav 
ing  died  at  eleven  years  of  age.  One,  Samuel,  Jr.,  with 
his  family,  preceded  his  father  a  little  time  in  the  order  of 
removal  hither  ;  his  father,  the  real  pioneer,  being  detained 
as  to  actual  removal  with  his  family,  a  little,  by  important 
business.  Deacon  Joseph  Safford,  the  father  of  eleven 
children,  came  with  his  family  in  the  second  company.  In 
1837  —  sevent}r-six  years  afterward  —  a  genealogical  record 
of  these  three  families  (the  Harwoods,  the  Robinsons,  and 
the  Saffords),  and  their  descendants  —  including  of  course 
such  persons  as  married  any  of  the  list  —  was  published 


46  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

by  Mrs.  Sarah  (Harwood)  Robinson,  one  of  these  descend 
ants.  Upon  this  genealogical  record  —  the  count  being 
made  with  perhaps  not  absolute  accuracy,  but  nearly  so  — 
there  is  found  an  aggregate  of  some  two  thousand  one 
hundred  and  thirty-six  individuals. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

SEPARATISM. 

'HEN  we  learn  by  the  records  that  the  church  in 
Bennington  was  formed  by  the  union  of  the  Sun- 
derland  church  and  the  Hardwick  church,  and 
that  soon  afterward  the  Bennington  church  ob 
tained  a  pastor  by  taking  to  itself  the  Westfield 
church  and  its  pastor,  we  are  curious  to  know  if 
these  churches  of  Sunderland  and  Hardwick  and  Westfield 
left  no  churches  behind  them.  Upon  inquiry  we  find  that 
those  towns,  respectively,  have,  meantime,  had  churches 
bearing  the  same  titles,  which  know  nothing  of  any  remo 
val  to  Bennington.  These  churches  date  their  origin  far 
back  of  that  of  the  Bennington  church,  and  they  have  never 
ceased  to  bear  the  designation  that  they  now  do,  and  to 
occupy  the  places  that  they  now  occupy.  How  is  it,  then, 
that  we  find  upon  our  Bennington  records  mention  of 
churches  of  the  same  name  removing  hither  and  being 
swallowed  up  in  the  Bennington  church  ?  The  explanation 
is,  that  the  churches  which  removed  to  Bennington  were 
"Separate"  churches,  irregularly  organized  in  the  Ariew 
of  the  churches  then  and  there  existing,  and  therefore  by 
them  never  recognized  as  churches  of  Christ.  Some  mem 
bers  of  the  old  church  believed  that  it  had  departed  from 
its  original  faith  and  order,  and  on  that  account  refused  to 
commune  with  it,  and  established  a  separate  church.  The 
original  churches  in  several  instances  excommunicated  those 
separating  members,  and  in  all  cases,  it  is  believed,  refused 


48  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

to  recognize  the  separate  organization  as  a  church  of  Christ. 
A  sad  state  of  things,  the  reader  will  say,  for  a  Christian 
community.  It  could  not  have  been  otherwise  than  full  of 
trials  to  all  concerned.  But,  as  we  shall  see,  God  overruled 
it  for  good.  Let  me  adduce  some  portions  of  the  records 
of  the  church  still  at  Sunderland,  the  original  church 
founded  in  1718.  The  first  introduction  of  the  subject  into 
these  records  appears  to  have  been  in  a  vote  on  March  3, 
1749:  — 

"  Voted,  That  those  persons  who  heave  separated  themselves 
from  this  church,  and  absented  themselves  from  the  public  wor 
ship  and  ordinances  among  us,  be  desired  and  required  to  appear 
and  attend  upon  a  meeting  of  this  church,  that  the  church  may 
have  an  opportunity  to  know  from  them  the  reasons  of  their  ab 
senting  themselves  from  them ;  and  also  what  doctrines  they  hold 
and  advance." 

In  compliance  with  this  vote,  a  subsequent  meeting  was 
held  according  to  due  notice.  Some  of  the  Separates  at 
tended,  and  asked  more  time  ;  more  time  was  given  by 
adjourning  the  meeting.  At  this  adjourned  meeting  a  paper 
was  read  on  behalf  of  some  or  all  the  separating  members, 
giving  their  reasons  for  their  course,  which,  as  was  to  have 
been  expected,  were  not  satisfactory  to  the  old  church. 
Others  separated,  and /their  reasons,  too,  were  demanded  by 
more  voting  of  the  old  church.  Divers  more  meetings  were 
held,  with  no  favorable  results  toward  bringing  back  the 
separating  members.  Under  date  of  August  24,  1753, 
some  four  and  a  half  years  after  the  first  proceedings,  we 
find  this  record  :  — 

"  Voted,  The  following  declaration  agreeable  to  the  advice  of  the 
neighboring  ministers,  called  in  to  discourse  with  persons  sepa 
rating,  etc. : — 

"  Whereas, have  gone  out  from  us,  renouncing 

our  communion,  and  thereby  have  made  it  manifest  they  do  not 
belong  to  us ;  and  we,  having  used  many  means  to  reclaim  them, 


CAUSE    OF   THE    SETTLEMENT   OF  BKNNINGTON.          49 

and  waited  long  upon  them,  and  they  still  persisting  obstinately 
in  their  separation  from  us,  we  now  declare  :  they  are  now  cut  off 
from  all  the  privileges  of  this  church,  and  are  not  to  be  esteemed 
members  hereof,  and  that  we  have  no  farther  care  of  them  as 
members  of  Christ's  Visible  Church." 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  also,  — 

"  Voted  j  That  we  judge  it  to  be  unlawful  and  dangerous  for  per 
sons  to  frequent,  and  make  a  practice  of  attending  upon,  and  es 
pecially  to  join  in  worship  at,  the  meetings  of  the  Separatists,  and 
a  just  matter  of  offence  to  this  church."  "Which  votes  on  the 
Lord's  day  following  were  read  before  the  congregation ;  and  the 
pastor,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  great  head  of  the 
church,  publicly  declared  before  the  congregation,  agreeably  to 
the  vote  of  the  church,  that  all  and  every  one  of  the  persons 
whose  names  are  mentioned  in  said  vote  are  cut  off  from  all 
privileges  in  this  church,  and  are  no  more  to  be  esteemed  members 
of  Christ's  visible  church  —  praying  that  the  proceedings  of  the 
church  may  be,  '  for  the  destruction  of  the  flesh  in  them,  that  the 
spirit  may  be  saved  in  the  day  of  the  Lord.' " l 

Fifteen  persons  are  named  in  the  above  vote  of  excom 
munication,  four  of  whom  appear  upon  the  roll  of  the  Ben- 
nington  church. 

Many  of  the  old  churches  did  not  proceed  to  equal  ex 
tremities.  The  church  in  Hardwick  did  not.2  The  church 
in  Westfield  did  not,  in  the  case  of  Mr.  Dewey.  But  even 
without  the  additional  hardships  of  excommunication, 
this  process  of  separation  must  have  been  attended  by 
many  painful  circumstances  both  to  the  old  church  and 
the  separating  members. 

These  ecclesiastical  troubles  were  a  principal  cause,  with 
out  which  the  early  settlers  of  Bennington  would  not  have 

1  The  original  Sunderland  church  records  were  destroyed,  but  the  church  ap 
pointed  Deacon  John  Montague,  a  man  of  extraordinary  memory,  who  had  pre 
viously  kept  the  records,  to  restore  them.    The  above  extracts  are  from  the  re 
stored  records. 

2  The  Rev.  Mr.  Paige's  Centennial  Discourse. 

5 


50  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

come  hither  in  the  numbers  and  at  the  time  they  did,  —  as 
religious  troubles  were  the  principal  cause  of  the  Pilgrims 
coming  from  the  Old  World  to  the  New,  in  the  first  settle 
ment  of  New  England.  In  saying  this,  it  is  at  the  same 
time  not  intended  to  ignore  the  interest  of  secular  adven 
ture  encouraged  by  the  prospect  of  fertile  lands,  the  exten 
sive  possession  of  which  in  fee-simple  might  be  obtained 
at  a  trifling  pecuniary  cost. 

This  Separate  movement  attained  vast  proportions  in 
the  country.  It  excited  a  profound  concern  at  the  time, 
and  has  been  studied  with  deep  interest  by  the  ecclesias 
tical  historian.  There  is  space  here  for  only  a  glance 
at  it.  It  was  a  vital  part  of  the  Great  Awakening  of  a 
century  and  a  quarter  ago.  There  had  obtained  in  the 
churches  a  vast  amount  of  formality.  The  "  half-way 
covenant"  had  been  extensively  adopted  by  them.  At 
length  the  numbers  became  formidable  of  those  who  viewed 
this  innovation  as  a  fatal  departure  from  sound  doctrine 
and  true  Christian  order.  Many  were  ready  to  welcome 
Whitfield,  with  his  unwonted  power  in  the  pulpit  as  a 
revivalist  and  reformer  of  the  churches,  and  many  more 
were  awakened  by  him  and  led  to  enlist  with  great  zeal  in 
the  cause  of  religious  reformation.  Edwards  irresistibly 
assailed  the  formality  and  laxness  of  church  usage  with 
strong  doctrine  and  ponderous  arguments  from  the  Word 
of  God. 

Many  extravagances,  the  natural  result,  under  the  cir 
cumstances,  of  so  profound  a  religious  excitement,  came 
into  vogue.  James  Davenport  sought  to  imitate  Whitfield, 
and  then  to  go  beyond  him,  and  did  surpass  him,  in  intem 
perate  zeal,  much  more  than  he  surpassed  moderate  men. 
Many  staid  churches  and  many  staid  ministers  opposed  the 
revival  movement  as  a  whole.  The  churches  were  divided 
into  two  antagonistic  parties,  one  for  new  measures,  the 


"  OLD  LIGHTS"  AND  "  NEW  LIGHTS"  51 

other  against  them,  —  the  "New  Lights"  and  the  "Old 
Lights."  The  question  came  up  whether  it  was  right  for 
these  "  New-Light"  preachers  to  be  abroad,  in  other  minis 
ters'  parishes,  stirring  up  so  much  excitement,  and  being 
the  occasion  of  discord.  It  became  the  practice  to  perform 
itinerant  labors  on  the  part  of  the  more  earnest  pastors. 
These  did  not  confine  their  efforts  to  their  own  parishes, 
but  "  went  every  where  preaching  the  word."  Also  lay-ex- 
horters  were  by  the  friends  of  the  innovation  encouraged, — 
persons  with  gifts  and  zeal,  but  without  liberal  education 
and  without  regular  ecclesiastical  license. 

In  Connecticut  these  disorders,  so  termed,  were  made 
the  subject  of  a  prohibitory  statute,  enacted  in  1742  by  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut,  —  not 
without  the  consent  and  approval  of  some  of  the  clergy. 
By  this  statute  ministers  were  forbidden  to  preach  in  any 
parish  other  than  their  own,  without  invitation  of  the  pastor 
or  people,  under  the  penalty  of  forfeiting  all  title  to  the 
benefit  of  the  laws  for  the  support  of  the  ministry.  And  it 
was  provided  that  a  regular  information  against  any  minis 
ter  to  this  effect  should,  without  trial  of  the  fact,  work  such 
a  forfeiture,  and  bar  the  collection  of  rates  for  his  support. 
By  another  section  of  the  act,  all  exhorters  were  forbidden 
to  exercise  their  gifts,  unless  permitted  by  the  parish  au 
thorities  ;  and  all  strangers,  of  whatever  ecclesiastical  dig 
nity  from  out  of  the  coloivy  (of  Connecticut),  presuming  to 
teach,  preach,  and  publicly  exhort  without  such  permission 
of  pastor  or  parish,  were  to  be  sent  as  vagrants  from  con 
stable  to  constable  out  of  the  bounds  of  Connecticut.1 

The  "  New-Light"  minorities  in  the  churches  would  not 
endure  this.  They  maintained  their  right  to  hear  such 
preachers  and  worship  God  in  such  a  manner  as  they 
deemed  to  be  most  in  accordance  with  the  word  of  God, 

1  Article  of  the  Rev.  R.  C.  Learned  in  the  "  New  Englander  "  for  May,  1853. 


52  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  they  did  this  the  more  earnestly  because  they  believed 
themselves  alone  to  adhere  to  the  genuine  principles  and 
order  of  the  original  New  England  churches.  The  number 
of  Separate  churches  increased  rapidly  under  .this  treat 
ment.  A  general  meeting  of  the  "  New  Lights  "  was  called 
at  Stonington,  Conn.,  in  1754;  elders  and  brethren  from 
forty  churches  met  there,  namely :  twenty-four  in  Con 
necticut,  eight  in  Massachusetts,  seven  in  Rhode  Island, 
and  one  in  Long  Island.1 

It  was  not  long  before  another  enactment  was  adopted 
by  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut,  which  added 
much  to  the  burdens  and  embarrassments  of  the  "  New- 
Light  "  party.  There  had  been  a  law  that  all  who  soberly 
dissented  from  the  prevailing  order  might,  upon  taking 
certain  oaths,  be  allowed  to  establish  separate  worship  un 
molested  ;  though  still  liable  to  be  taxed  for  the  support  of 
the  parish  minister.  This  law  was  repealed.  Thus  the 
worship  in  the  original  society  came  to  be  still  more  odi 
ously  known  as  the  Established  worship,  or  the  worship  of 
the  Standing  Order.2  The  Separates  came  at  length  to  call 
themselves  "  Strict  Congregationalists." 

In  this  notice  of  persecuting  laws  those  of  Connecticut 
have  been  adduced.  In  Massachusetts  the  case  was  dif 
ferent.  There  no  laws  were  specially  enacted  against 
Separate  itinerant  preachers  and  lay  exhorters,  but  the 
existing  laws  did  not  exempt  Separates  from  paying  taxes 
to  the  parish  minister  and  for  building  and  repairing  parish 
meeting-houses.  Neither  did  the  Massachusetts  laws  give 
to  Separate  congregations  any  legal  power  to  collect  taxes 
or  subscriptions  for  their  own  expenses. 

Moreover,  while  it  is  true  that  many  of  the  members  of 

1  Backus'  History.    See,  also,  Contributions  to  the  Ecclesiastical  History  of 
Connecticut. 

2  Mr.  Learned's  article. 


SEPARATISTS   IN   CONNECTICUT.  53 

the  Bennington  church,  perhaps  most,  came,  in  its  incipient 
histoiy,  from  Massachusetts,  its  ecclesiastical  affinities  ap 
pear  to  have  especially  identified  it  with  the  Connecticut 
Separate  churches  and  ministers.  "  Father "  Marshall, 
who  used  to  pass  this  way  frequent!}',  and  appears  to  have 
felt  quite  at  home  here,  was  pastor  of  the  first  Separate 
church  that  was  formed,  that  in  Canterbury,  Conn.  The 
Rev.  John  Palmer,  who  was  repeatedly  on  ecclesiastical 
councils  in  this  town,  was  pastor  of  one  of  the  Separate 
churches  in  Connecticut,  that  of  Scotland  parish,  in  Wind 
sor  township.  He  was  member  of  the  council  that  was  con 
vened,  b}'  letters-missive  from  this  church,  in  Westfield,  to 
consider  and  act  upon  the  question  of  the  union  of  that 
church  with  the  Bennington  church.  He  was  member  of 
the  council  called  here  in  1770  to  give  advice  in  the  diffi 
culty  about  the  duty  of  communicating  for  the  support  of 
the  gospel.  He  was  here  also  either  as  member  of  a  council 
or  informally  to  advise  in  the  difficulties  concerning  Mr. 
A  very.  He  was  a  worthy  and  excellent  Christian  minister. 
He  officiated  to  the  Separate  church  in  Scotland  parish, 
doubtless  with  acceptance,  through  the  long  period  of  fifty- 
seven  3'ears, — 1 750  to  1807, — when  he  deceased.  Universally 
spoken  of  as  a  man  of  real  piety,  he  was  imprisoned  under 
the  Connecticut  laws  before  mentioned  four  months  in  Hart 
ford  for  preaching.  The  other  Separate  churches  called  to 
sit  in  the  Westfield  council,  and  their  pastors,  belonged  to 
Connecticut :  Plainfield,  Alexander  Miller,  minister  ;  and 
Suffield,  Israel  Holley,  minister. 

A  large  part  of  the  First  Church  in  Norwich,  Conn., 
drew  off  from  its  minister  and  met  for  worship  in  another 
place.1  Thirty  male  members,  including  one  deacon  and 
a  large  number  of  females,  left  the  Old  Standing  Order 
Church  at  about  the  same  time.  Others  soon  followed. 

1  Backus. 

5* 


54  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Among  these  were  some  of  the  most  wealthy  and  influential 
men  in  the  town.  The  Separates  and  their  friends  finally 
outvoted  the  old  church  in  the  town  meetings,  and  declared 
that  they  would  no  longer  pay  the  minister's  rates,  as  they 
were  conscientiously  opposed  to  the  union  of  church  and 
state.  But  upon  a  complaint  entered,  the  General  Assem- 
bty  interfered,  and  they  were  taxed,  by  a  special  act,  to 
support  the  Rev.  Dr.  Lord  and  his  society.  Refusing  to 
pay  the  tax,  they  were  imprisoned.  For  this  cause  as  many 
as  fort}7  persons,  men  and  women,  were  imprisoned  in  a 
single  year.1  Many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Bennington 
were  from  Norwich  and  its  vicinity.  The  Newint  Sepa 
rate  Church,  so  prominently  represented  in  Bennington, 
belonged  to  a  part  of  the  town  of  Norwich  of  that  day. 

Deacon  Joseph  Safford  and  some  others  among  the  earli 
est  members  of  this  church  belonged  to  a  Separate  church 
in  Newint,  Conn.,  and  brought,  if  not  the  church,  at  least 
the  records  of  it,  with  them  to  this  town. 

l  Historical  Notices  by  the  Rev.  F.  Denison,  quoted  in  a  foot-note  by  Hovey. 
Life  and  Times  of  Backus,  p.  42. 


CHAPTER    V. 

INTERNAL  PERPLEXITIES   OF  THE   CHURCH. 

,INANCIAL  CONTROVERSY.  —  The  first  great 
trial  of  the  church,  and  perhaps  the  greatest  of  an 
internal  character,  was  occasioned  by  the  ques 
tion, —  how  to  pay  the  minister? 

The  Bennington  church,  as  a  church,  never  toofc 
any  position  identical  with  Separate  churches  more 
extreme  than  the  actual  reformation  which  ivas  finally  ac 
cepted  by  the  great  body  of  the  Congregational  churches  of  the 
country.  In  this  it  evinced  the  shrewd  indomitable  com 
mon  sense  of  its  leading  minds.  There  were,  however, 
individual  members  of  the  church,  who,  upon  some  points 
at  least,  were  extreme,  even  factious,  relatively  to  the  Ben 
nington  church.  They  were  not  without  serious  influence 
in  the  church,  and  yet  they  appear  to  have  been  always 
in  a  minority  when  it  came  to  voting.  They  had  the  more 
influence  on  one  point  in  particular,  that  of  a  church 
member's  duty  with  respect  to  the  pecuniary  necessities 
of  public  worship,  because  the  Separate  theory  on  tliis 
point  was  susceptible  of  a  pretty  sharp  definition.  It 
may  be  stated  in  the  words  of  the  Separate  Ecclesiastical 
Council  convened  here  in  1770,  on  this  subject :  — 

"  The  Society  is  by  no  means  to  be  allowed  to  control  or  govern 
the  church  in  the  affair." 

At  the  same  time  there  was  in  the  Bennington  church 
that  common    sense   or   practical  —  or  worldly  —  wisdom 


56  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

which  saw  that  in  the  secularities  of  public  worship  the 
world  would  certainly  have  a  hand,  and  which  reasoned 
that  there  might  be  so  much  jealousy  of  bringing  the  church 
under  bondage  to  the  world,  as  to  fail  to  obtain  all  that 
lawfully  might  be  of  co-operation  both  of  the  world's  peo 
ple  and  of  the  civil  law. 

But  the  extreme  Separates  had  on  their  side  the  moral 
weight  of  the  fact  that  the  Bennington  church  was  formed 
out  of  bona  fide  Separate  churches  ;  that  many  had  joined 
its  ranks  from  other  churches  of  the  same  character  ;  that 
its  pastor  was  thoroughly  of  Separate  origin,  —  its  ecclesi 
astical  councils  were  made  up  from  Separate  churches,  and 
the  council  of  1770  rather  sided  with  the  extreme  members 
than  with  the  church.  At  any'  rate  they  were  unceasingly 
active,  and  in  several  instances  inflexible  to  the  last. 

That  which  appears  to  have  brought  the  opposing  par 
ties  to  a  decisive  struggle  was  the  action  of  an  adjourned 
meeting  of  the  congregation,  Feb.  8,1768.  At  this  meet 
ing  the  following  resolves  were  voted  :  — 

1.  That  the  church  and  society  should  stand  all  in  an  equal  right 
about  proposing  any  method,  or  voting  in  any  meeting  about  the 
support  of  the  gospel  for  the  present  year.  2.  Chose  Moses 
Kobiuson  clerk  for  the  same  meeting  and  for  this  year.  3.  Chose 
Stephen  Eay,  Samuel  Saflbrd,  and  Moses  liobinsoii  assessors. 
4.  Chose  Stephen  Fay  treasurer.  5.  Chose. James  Walbridge  and 
Henry  Walbridge  collectors  ;  then  made  a  subscription  binding  in 
common  law  in  order  to  secure  to  Mr.  Dewey  fifty  pounds  for  the 
present  year." 

This,  it  will  be  observed,  was  a  meeting,  not  of  the  church, 
but  of  the  congregation,  but  church  members  acted  in  it 
and  with  it ;  three  out  of  five  appointed  to  office  in  the 
meeting  were  church  members.  This  course  of  members  of 
the  churches  was  not  suffered  by  the  extreme  Separates  to 
pass  unchallenged.  Against  these  members  of  the  church 


A    LONG    CHURCH   CONTROVERSY.  57 

active  in  this  meeting  a  complaint  was  soon  brought  in 
church  meeting,  and  the  attempt  was  made  to  convict  them 
of  violating  the  principles  of  the  Separate  churches,  with  re 
spect  to  their  independence  of  the  Society  and  of  the  civil 
power.1 

Had  the  complaining  party  been  above  suspicion  of  sin 
ister  intent  their  case  would  have  stood  better.  It  was  the 
refusal  of  some  of  these,  and  perhaps  of  some  others,  to 
pay  their  share  toward  the  minister's  salary,  which  was  the 
proximate  cause  of  the  action  complained  of.  The  salary 
was  not  secured  ;  and  hence  the  effort  in  the  adjourned 
meeting  of  the  congregation  to  hit  upon  some  expedient 
that  should  accomplish  this  result.  Most  if  not  all  of  the 
brethren  who  complained  so  bitterly  of  that  action  were 
themselves  remiss.  Their  remissness  dates  far  back  upon 
the  records,  as  appears  by  the  following  entry  :  — 

"June  19,  1766.  —  Then  the  church  being  met  by  appointment 
acted  on  the  following  articles,  namely,  1.  To  send  brothers 
James  Breakenridge,  Henry  Walbritlge,  and  John  Wood  to  those 
brethren  that  did  not  attend  the  church  meeting,  and  had  not 
settled  or  paid  their  proportion  or  sums  for  the  year  past  with  Mr. 
Dewey,  that  they  forthwith  settle  the  above  said  sum  or  sums; 
and  that  they  appear  on  Friday  the  twenty-sixth  day  of  this  in 
stant  at  the  adjourned  meeting  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Dewey  to  an 
swer  to  their  conduct.  2.  Voted,  that  those  persons  who  do  not 
settle  and  pay  the  sums  of  their  equality  with  Mr.  Dewey  for  his 
support  within  the  time  appointed  by  the  church  and  society  forth 
with  give  security  for  the  above  said  sums,  and  it  shall  be  no 
ofi'ence." 

Here  we  have  the  party  of  the  first  part  aggrieved  because 
the  party  of  the  second  part  would  not  do  their  share  to- 

1  The  probability  is  that  the  error  of  these  complaining  brethren  was  not  in 
their  professed  anxiety  lest  the  church  should  lose  its  proper  control  in  spiritual 
affairs,  so  much  as  in  their  want  of  discrimination  as  to  what  was  purely  secular 
in  the  matter,  and  therefore  not  to  be  a  bone  of  contention  in  the  church. 


58  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

ward  the  salary  of  Mr.  Dewe}' ;  and  the  party  of  the  second 
part  aggrieved  because  the  party  of  the  first  part  had 
secured  the  adoption  of  church  and  society  measures,  and 
some  aid,  if  necessary,  of  the  civil  law,  to  relieve  the  finan 
cial  difficulties  of  the  parish.  The  result  was  a  long  church 
controversy. 

It  is  believed  by  some  of  Mr.  Dewey's  descendants  that 
he,  in  consideration  of  the  valuable  property  called  "  the 
minister's  right"  being  settled  upon  him,  declined,  for  a 
while  at  least,  other  compensation  ;  they  have  a  tradition  in 
the  family  to  this  effect.  If  so,  Mr.  Dewey  could  not  have 
begun  to  receive  any  compensation  from  the  church  and 
society  until  near  the  time  of  the  above  vote.  To  suppose 
that  brethren  would  refuse  to  pay  their  part  toward  the 
small  amount  then  proposed  to  be  raised  as  a  salary  for 
Mr.  Dewey,  and  at  the  first  attempt,  or  nearly  the  first  at 
tempt,  reflects  seriously  upon  their  goodness  of  character. 
Whether  they  were  afflicted  with  the  malady  not  unknown 
to  mankind,  a  chronic  disinclination  to  part  with  one's 
money  for  a  public  good  object,  or  whether  the}7  deemed  it 
a  violation  of  their  consciences  to  contribute  anything  to 
the  treasury  of  the  church  so  long  as  it  adopted  financial 
expedients  inconsistent  with  their  notions  of  Christian 
duty ;  or  whether  their  course  was  the  result  of  both  these 
causes  combined,  there  grew  up  an  irreconcilable  difficulty 
between  the  church  and  these  brethren.  The  leaders  among 
them  were  under  church  censure  from  time  to  time,  and 
finally  were  excommunicated.  For  a  long  time,  however, 
they  remained  in  the  church,  as  it  knew  to  its  cost.  New 
complaints  were  brought ;  new  grievances  there  were  ;  new 
offences  for  church  action.  All  their  church  meetings,  and 
all  their  debates  as  to  what  was  according  to  their  principles 
of  freedom  of  conscience,  and  the  church's  true  indepen 
dence  of  and  separation  from  the  world,  availed  nothing  to 


A   LONG    CHUfiCJI   CONTROVERSY.  59 

settle  the  difficult}7,  or  to  remove  the  main  difficulty  of 
the  delinquency  of  these  brethren  toward  the  salary. 
Among  other  entries  upon  the  records  of  a  like  character, 
let  us  notice  one  under  date  of  August,  17,  1769  :  —  - 

"The  church  being  met  by  adjournment,  and  the  meeting  being 
opened  by  prayer,  took  into  consideration  the  case  of  those  breth 
ren  who  are  behind  in  their  communication  to  the  support  of  the 
gospel,  and  voted  that  if  they  shall  pay  thirteen  shillings  to  fifteen 
it  shall  be  satisfactory." 

It  would  seem  that  the  delinquent  brethren  did  not  all 
of  them  now  pay  the  "  thirteen  shillings  to  fifteen,"  for 
there  are  recorded  actions  of  discipline  in  their  case  under 
subsequent  dates. 

Glimpses  in  the  records  show  us  that  the  sacrament  of 
the  Lord's  supper  was  not  administered  for  some  time  on 
account  of  the  progress  of  this  war  in  the  church.  Infant 
baptisms,  however,  were  not  omitted,  whatever  the  state  of 
the  church  might  be,  whether  cold  or  lukewarm  or  divided. 
Some  stayed  away  from  public  worship  because  of -griev 
ances. 

At  length  a  council  of  churches  was  called,  1770.  Its 
result  is  on  the  records.  On  the  whole  it  appears  rather  to 
condemn  the  church  for  calling  to  its  aid  the  society  as 
prominently  as  it  did,  according  to  the  action  of  the  ad 
journed  meeting  of  the  congregation  on  Feb.  8,  17@8.  It 
was  a  council  of  Separate  churches.  Apparently  no  good 
effect  followed.  Matters  waxed  worse  and  worse.  One  and 
another  became  the  subject  of  church  discipline.  Thus  they 
went  on  until  January,  1780,  fourteen  years  after  the  first 
appearance  of  this  difficulty  upon  the  records.  Then  we 
find  this  hopeful  indication  :  — 

"  The  church  being  met  by  appointment,  the  meeting  being 
opened  by  prayer,  TOOK  INTO  CONSIDERATION  THE  CIRCUMSTANCE  OF 


60  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

THE  COVENANT  BEING  VERY  MUCH  SHATTERED  AND  TORN.  VOTED, 
TO  SIGN  THE  COVENANT  NEWLY  DRAFTED  AND  TO  RENEW  COVE 
NANT  WITH  GOD  AND  WITH  ONE  ANOTHER."  Tills  return  to  the 

solemn  renewal  of  covenant  obligation,  and  to  tlie  enjoyment  of 
the  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  must  have  been  a  relief  as  de 
lightful  as  it  was  salutary. 

The  old  covenant  so  "much  shattered  and  torn"  was 
probably  the  one  among  the  papers  of  the  church  on  file  ; 
that  newly  drafted  and  signed,  the  paper  in  the  possession 
of  John  Fay. 

With  regard  to  the  ultimate  result  as  to  the  method  of 
securing  the  salary,  it  may  be  stated  that  no  invariable 
rule  was  attained.  Society  meetings  and  town  meetings  for 
some  years  played  an  important  part  in  this  business.  The 
extreme  Separatist  method  was  never  adopted.  The  more 
usual  way  was,  to  obtain  as  many  as  would  consent  to 
bring  in  their  tax  lists,  and  let  the  society  or  town  rate 
upon  them  a  tax  sufficient  for  the  salary  and  other  expenses 
of  public  worship.  Those  who  voluntarily  brought  in  their 
lists  t'o  be  taxed  were  liable  to  have  their  tax  collected  by 
law  if  they  neglected  to  pay  it  at  the  right  time.  Church 
discipline  upon  members  delinquent  in  this  matter  fell  into 
disuse ;  so  it  is  inferred  from  the  fact  that  cases  of  disci 
pline  of  this  kind  do  not  afterward  appear  upon  the  records. 
This  financial  question  came  up  again  on  the  building  of 
the  new  meeting-house,  and  created  again  a  profound  ex 
citement. 

II.  CASE  OF  THE  REV.  DAVID  AVERT.  —  There  were 
also  troublous  times  to  this  church  in  connection  with  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  David  Avery.  This  difficult}^  followed 
fast  upon  the  heels  of  the  other ;  and  it  is  quite  possible 
some  of  the  disturbing  influence  of  the  old  trouble  re 
mained.  The  settlement  of  Mr.  Avery  here  was  com- 


CASE    OF  REV.    DAVID   AVERY.  61 

mcnced  with  a  foreshadowed  opposition,  which  increased 
until  the  termination  of  his  ministry,  June  17,  1783.  One 
person  only  was  added  to  the  church;  the  Lord's  supper 
was  celebrated  once  only,  and  that  not  without  opposition 
on  the  alleged  singular  ground  of  the  impropriety  of  the 
measure  because  of  the  divided  state  of  the  church. 

A  pamphlet  of  fifty-five  pages  is  extant,  with  this  title : 
"  A  Narrative  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  the  Difficulties 
which  have  issued  in  a  separation  between  the  Minister  and 
People  of  Bennington,  1783.  With  a  Valedictory  Address 
by  the  Rev.  David  A  very,  V.  D.  M."  He  was  evidently  a 
man  of  superior  talents  and  accomplishments.  Governor 
Tichenor  —  who  was  proverbial  for  his  graceful  politeness, 
so  much  so  that,  having  come  from  New  Jersey,  he  obtained 
the  not  very  graceful  sobriquet  of  "The  Jersey  Slick" 
—  used  to  say  that  the  opposition  sent  Mr.  Avery  awa}^  be 
cause  he  walked  to  church  arm  in  arm  with  his  wife.  There 
is  some  reason  to  think,  however,  that  with  all  his  acquire 
ments  he  lacked  humility,  and,  therefore,  was  less  fitted 
than  otherwise  he  might  have  been  to  build  up  and  unite 
the  people.  In  his  communication  to  them  respecting  his 
dismission  he  exalts  his  official  prerogatives,  lays  all  the 
blame  upon  the  opposition,  loftity  pities  their  weaknesses, 
and  rebukes  their  wrong-doing,  inasmuch  as  they  receive 
the  word  at  his  lips  with  no  more  meekness  ;  and,  which  is 
most  galling  of  all,  derides  their  Separate  origin. 

As  a  ceremony  of  installation,  Mr.  Avery  adopted  the 
novel  method  of  pronouncing,  in  the  presence  of  the  coun 
cil,  an  address,  first,  to  the  church,  and  then  to  the  congre 
gation,  solemnly  declaring  his  acceptance  of  the  pastorate 
in  accordance  with  their  request.  In  the  address  to  the 
church  occurs  this  paragraph  :  — • 

"Inasmuch  as  I  have  been  duly  ordained  an  officer  in  Christ's 
kingdom  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery,  whereby 
6 


62  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

I  am  invested  with  full  power  and  authority  to  administer  sealing 
ordinances,  and  to  do  all  the  duties  of  a  minister  in  God's  house ; 
and  inasmuch  as  I  can  receive  no  new,  nor  even  atiy  accession  of, 
power,  by  a  re-ordination,  I  do  now,  without  some  of  the  usual 
ceremonies  of  an  ordination,  thus  publicly  acknowledge  myself  to 
be  under  the  most  sacred  vows  to  exercise  my  office,  and  to  do  all 
the  duties  of  the  pastor  of  this  church,"  etc. 

The  "re-ordination"  refers  to  the  doctrine  which  had 
some  currency  among  the  radical  Separates  that  ordination 
by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  Presbytery  was  a  vio 
lation  of  the  power  of  the  brotherhood,  and  therefore  it  was 
their  duty  to  require  one  who  had  been  presbyterially  or 
dained,  and  who  had  cojne  to  be  their  pastor,  to  be  re-or 
dained  by  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  lay-members 
of  the  church.  The  Bennington  church,  as  such,  never 
received  this  doctrine  ;  but  from  Mr.  Avery's  narrative  it 
appears  that,  in  the  course  of  the  difficulties  with  him,  this 
was  seriously  pressed  by  some  of  the  members. 

A  mutual  council,  half  of  Strict  Congregationalists  and 
half  of  Standing  Order  Congregationalists,  was  first  called 
upon  the  difficulties.  The  Strict  Congregational  half  failed 
to  come,  and  the  council  did  not  proceed.  Next,  an  ex- 
parte  council  of  Strict  Congregationalists  was  called,  and 
failed  to  come.  At  length,  a  mutual  council  of  Strict  Con 
gregationalists  was  called,  and  came.  In  this  council  the 
aggrieved  portion  of  the  church  appeared  as  plaintiff,  and 
the  church  itself  as  defendant,  on  the  side  of  Mr.  Avery. 
The  chief  burden  of  the  complaint  was  alleged  departure 
from  the  faith  by  Mr.  Aveiy  in  his  preaching,  three  specifi 
cations  being  presented.  The  council  sustained  Mr.  Avery 
and  the  church  in  every  particular,  —  advising  the  church, 
however,  to  accept  Mr.  Avery's  resignation  if  he  should 
offer  it ;  which  he  immediately  did. 

In  his  address  of  resignation,  he  says,  "  One  half  of  this 


THE   SLAVERY   QUESTION.  63 

church  are  divided  from  me  without  any  prospect  of  my 
recovering  them."  This  must  have  been  meant  in  a  numeri 
cal  sense ;  a  leading  personal  influence  in  the  community 
sided  with  Mr.  A  very,  and  had,  or  carried,  the  council 
with  it. 

Among  his  more  ardent  admirers  here  were  some  of  the 
most  influential  members  of  the  church  or  congregation,  — 
such  men  as  Governor  Moses  Robinson,  Hon.  Isaac  Tiche- 
nor,  Dr.  Jonas  Fa}r. 

When  he  was  dismissed  from  Bennington  and  left  the 
place,  the  troubles  here  on  his  account  appear  to  have 
ceased.  Soon  afterward  the  church  was  again  blessed 
with  a  revival  of  religion,  in  which  numbers  were  added  to 
its  communion,  of  whom  the  names  of  forty-seven  are 
upon  the  records.  Its  wounds  were  doubtless  healed,  and 
it  was  once  more  in  the  enjoyment  of  health  and  vigor. 

III.  THE  SLAVERY  QUESTION.  —  Mr.  Avery  brought 
with  his  family  to  town  a  colored  woman,  and  he  insisted 
on  his  right  to  hold  her  as  a  slave.  This  was  one  of  the 
serious  objections  urged  against  him,  and  which  created 
much  dissatisfaction  in  the  church.1  But  the  persons  dis 
satisfied  on  this  account  appear  to  have  been  in  the  minor- 
ity. 

One  who  had  been  for  several  }rears  an  active  and  influen 
tial  member  of  the  church,  being  frequently  on  important  com 
mittees,  having  his  children  baptized,  etc.,  was  placed  under 
church  discipline  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Avery  :  — 

"  For  withdrawing  himself  from  its  communion  for  its  affirming 
the  position  that  it  would  commune  with  a  brother  who  might 
have  a  slave." 

Some  five  years  afterward  this  brother  was  excommuni- 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


64  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

eated  for  continuing  in  his  refusal  to  walk  with  the  church. 
Nothing  of  an  immoral  character  appears  to  have  been  alleged 
against  him  ;  he  continued  to  be  respected  as  an  upright  citi 
zen.  It  is  related  that,  after  his  excommunication,  one  of  the 
members  of  the  church,  a  carpenter,  was  employed  by  him 
to  do  a  day's  work,  who  had  scruples  about  eating  with 
him,  because  he  had  been  excommunicated  ;  he,  therefore, 
caused  a  table  to  be  set  very  nicely  in  the  parlor,  and  di 
rected  the  brother  to  dine  there  by  himself. 

That  the  slavery  question  was  somewhat  agitated  about 
this  time  in  this  vicinity  may  be  inferred  from  a  case  pre 
served  upon  the  town  records  of  this  town.  It  can  be  best 
given  in  the  words  of  the  record  :  — 

"HEAD-QUARTERS,  PAULET,  Nov.  28,  1777. 

"To  whom  it  may  concern,  know  ye:  whereas,  Dinah  Mattis, 
a  negro  woman,  with  Nancy,  her  child  of  two  months  old,  was 
taken  prisoner  on  Lake  Champlain,  with  the  British  troops,  some 
where  near  Col.  Gilliner's  patent,  the  12th  clay  of  inst.  November, 
by  a  scout  under  my  command,  and,  according  to  a  resolve 
passed  by  the  Honorable  Continental  Congress,  that  all  prizes  be 
long  to  the  captivators  thereof,  therefore,  she  and  her  child  be 
came  the  just  propeily  of  the  captivators  thereof.  I  being  con- 
sci-hentious  that  it  is  not  right  in  the  sight  of  God  to  keep  slaves  ; 
therefore  obtaining  leave  of  the  detachment  under  my  command, 
to  give  her  and  her  child  their  freedom ;  I  do  therefore  give  the 
said  Dinah  Mattis,  and  Nancy  her  child,  their  freedom  to  pass  and 
repass  anywhere  through  the  United  States  of  America,  with  her 
behaving  as  becometh,  and  to  trade  and  traffic  for  herself  and  child 
as  though  she  were  born  free,  without  being  molested  by  any  per 
son  or  person.  In  witness  whereunto  I  have  set  my  hand  and 
subscribed  my  name. 

"  (Signed)  EBENEZER  ALLEX," 

'   Capt.  in  Col.  Herrick's  Regiment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys." 

1  "Major  Ebenezer  Allen  was  a  captain  in  Col.  Herrick's  battalion  of  State 
Rangers,  and  distinguished  himself  in  the  Battle  of  Bennington."  —  See  Bio 
graphical  Sketch  in  Hall's  Early  Hist.,  Vermont,  p.  G51. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  CHURCH  IN  THE  WORLD. 

the  ecclesiastical  life  of  the  community  there 
was  also  going  on  here  in  strong  pulsations  the 
secular  life  of  a  most  energetic  people.  These 
men,  a  glimpse  of  whom  we  get  from  meagre  but 
suggestive  church  records,  shared  in  this  secular 
life.  It  is  impossible  to  form  any  just  idea  of  the 
church's  life,  its  trials,  influence,  and  dangers,  without 
understanding  the  secular  history  of  the  town.  Church 
members  had  a  large  part  in  the  establishment  of  a  town, 
and  then  of  a  State,  and  meantime  of  a  nation.  Each 
several  work  crowded  fast  upon  the  heels  of  the  other,  or 
mingled  one  with  the  other.  There  was  the  wilderness  to 
subdue,  land  titles  to  establish.  There  were  legislatures 
to  entertain,  and  their  share  of  legislation  to  perform.  They 
had  highways  and  accommodations  to  keep  up  for  the 
travelling  public,  on  one  of  its  then  most  important 
thoroughfares.1  They  had  strong  individuality  ;  each  would 

l  "  Settlements  had  also  (as  early  as  1765)  been  made  to  the  northward  as  far 
as  Danby,  and  extensive  preparations  were  making  for  occupying  other  town 
ships,  as  well  as  for  extending  the  settlements  in  those  already  commenced, — 
the  tillers  of  the  hard  New  England  soil  then,  as  they  have  often  been  since, 
swarming  for  emigration  to  new  and  uncultivated  lands."  —  Vt.  Hist.  Mag. 

Mr.  Samuel  Fay,  five  years  of  age  the  day  of  the  Bennington  battle,  and  who 
distinctly  recollected  occurrences  of  that  day,  with  other  reminiscences,  stated 
to  G.  \V.  Robinson  the  following,  of  public  houses,  all  in  apparent  successful 
operation;  the  Catamount  Tavern,  kept  by  his  grandfather,  Stephen  Fay;  the 
Dewey  Tavern,  now  Walloomsac  House,  then  kept  by  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey;  the 
Herrick  Tavern,  kept  by  Col.  Herrick,  now  known  as  the  Dimmick  place;  the 
Harmon  Tavern,  kept  by  Daniel  Harmon  now  the  old  yellow  buildin  west  of 
6* 


66  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

in  a  measure  have  his  own  way,  and  yet  they  must  endure 
one  another  and  be  mutually  helpful,  for  they  had  many 
common  labors,  hardships,  and  dangers,  and  common  in 
terests,  ambitions,  and  expectations.  They  must  help  each 
other  to  be  strong,  while  sometimes,  doubtless,  they  yielded 
to  the  temptation,  in  this  or  that  private  mutual  competition, 
to  put  down  each  other.  So  they  grew  ;  so  their  individual 
force  of  character  was  developed. 

As  before  said,  many  of  those  thus  situated  as  to  their 
secular  and  social  life  were  members  of  the  Bermington 
church,  many  were  unwearied  in  Christian  efforts,  habitual 
in  their  attendance  upon  public  ordinances,  some  —  doubt 
less  at  times  a  few  —  faithful  to  the  Friday  prayer-meeting. 
There  were  in  particular  two  great  public  struggles  in  the 
history  of  the  town,  and  which  are  no  less  prominent  in  the 
history  of  the  State,  and  one  of  them  of  commanding  im 
portance  in  the  history  of  the  nation.  I  refer  to  the  land- 
title  controversy  and  to  the  Revolutionary  War.  The  land- 
title  controversy  and  the  Bennington  battle  will  have  a 
place  as  separate  topics.  Let  it  suffice  now  to  say,  prom 
inent  was  the  part  Bennington  acted  in  the  Revolution 
ary  War.  Here  was  held  the  council  of  Allen,  Warner, 
Easton,  and  others,  in  which  the  expedition  to  Ticonderoga, 
which  resulted,  under  the  intrepid  leadership  of  Allen,  in 
the  surrender  of  that  fortress,  was  planned,  May,  1775,  and 
a  considerable  portion  of  the  Green  Mountain  boys  who 
joined  the  expedition  were  from  Bennington.  Ethan  Allen 
came  to  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  about  the  year  1769, 

Henry  Baker's  residence;  the  tavern  kept  by  Zechariah  Harwood,  the  late  resi 
dence  of  Perez  Harwood,  Sen.,  deceased;  the  State  Arms  House,  kept  by  Jona 
than  Robinson ;  the  Brush  Tavern,  where  now  stands  the  residence  of  Samuel 
Jewett ;  the  Billings  Tavern,  in  whose  stables  he  has  seen  one  hundred  horses 
at  one  time,  —  not  an  uncommon  occurrence,  —  belonging  to  people  emigrating 
from  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  to  the  different  parts  of  Vermont  and  New 
Hampshire;  it  now  stands  on  the  side  hill  west  of  the  residence  of  Mr.  Nichols, 
near  the  Bennington  and  Povvnal  line. 


REVOLUTIONARY   WAR.  67 

and  made  his  home  in  Beimington  while  within  the  territory, 
until  he  was  taken  prisoner  at  Montreal,  Sept.  25,  1775. 
Col.  Setli  Warner  came  to  Bennington  to  reside  in  January, 
1765,  and  remained  here  until  the  summer  of  1784. 

In  the  regiment  of  Green  Mountain  boys  which  was 
raised  under  the  advice  of  the  Continental  Congress  in  the 
summer  of  1775  for  service  in  Canada,  the  town  of  Ben 
nington  was  represented  by  Seth  Warner,  its  lieutenant- 
colonel  and  commandant,  Samuel  Safford  as  major,  Wait 
Hopkins  as  captain,  and  John  Fassett,  Jr.,  as  lieutenant, 
and  by  man}*  others  in  different  capacities.  Among  the 
important  services  rendered  by  this  regiment  was  the  de 
cisive  defeat  of  General  Carleton  at  Longuiel,  which  pre 
vented  his  furnishing  relief  to  St.  Johns  and  caused  its  im 
mediate  surrender,  and  also  the  abandonment  of  Montreal 
to  the  American  forces  under  General  Montgomery.1  In 
the  next  summer,  July  5,  1776,  the  Continental  Congress 
was  so  well  satisfied  with  the  services  in  Canada  of  these 
men,  that  a  resolution  was  passed  to  raise  a  continental 
regiment  of  regular  troops  from  this  territory. 

Of  this  regiment,  which  continued  in  service  through  the 
war,  Seth  Warner,  the  colonel ;  Samuel  Safford,  the  lieu 
tenant-colonel  ;  Wait  Hopkins,  captain ;  Joseph  Safford, 
lieutenant ;  Jacob  Safford,  ensign ;  Benjamin  Hopkins, 
adjutant,  were  from  Bennington.  In  October  of  the  same 
year,  upon  notice  of  an  expected  attack  upon  Ticonderoga, 
the  militia  of  Bennington  and  neighboring  towns  turned 
out  en  masse  and  moved  to  its  relief,  and  for  their  exploit 
were  handsomely  complimented  by  the  commanding  gen 
eral,  Horatio  Gates.2 

At  the  time  of  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  and  Fort 

i  A  brief  manuscript  letter  of  Mrs.  Montgomery  to  a  friend,  alluding  to  the 
death  of  Gen.  Montgomery,  is  preserved  among  the  papers  of  Gen.  David  Rob 
inson. 

~  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


68  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Mt.  Independence,  July  6,  1777,  the  convention  for  forming 
the  constitution  of  the  State  was  assembled  at  Windsor, 
but,  on  receiving  the  alarming  news  of  the  loss  of  these 
posts,  they  hastily  adjourned,  appointing  a  Council  of  Safety 
to  administer  the  government  until  the  meeting  of  the 
Legislature  under  the  constitution.  This  Council  of  Safety 
met  at  Manchester  July  15,  and  soon  afterward  adjourned 
to  Bennington,  where  it  continued  in  permanent  session 
until  after  the  close  of  the  campaign  by  the  surrender  of 
Burgoyne  in  October  following.  The  room  which  this  body 
occupied  during  this  trying  period  is  still  to  be  seen  in  the 
ancient  tavern-house  of  Landlord  Fay,  with  the  words 
"  Council  room,"  cut  in  olden  time  on  the  mantel-piece.1 

Throughout  the  war  Bennington  furnished  the  full  share 
of  men  and  supplies  for  carrying  it  on.2  Bennington  was 
for  some  time  a  depot  for  public  stores  belonging  to  the 
United  States.  To  obtain  possession  of  these  provisions 
and  stores  was  the  principal  object  of  Burgoyne  in  sending 
his  expedition  to  Bennington. 

The  leading  men  in  the  town  were  leading  men  in  the  re 
ligious  community.  The  innholder  at  whose  house  the  first 
town  meeting  was  held,  the  moderator  of  the  meeting,  the 
town  clerk  then  appointed,  the  first  four  of  the  selectmen, 
the  town  treasurer,  the  two  constables  and  the  two  tithing- 
men,  and  indeed  all  but  four  of  the  officers  appointed,  were 
or  became  members  of  the  church  under  Mr.  Dewey.  The 
first  town  meeting  was  held  March  31,  1762,  at  the  house 
of  John  Fassett,  when  the  following  officers  were  chosen  :  — 

"Samuel  Montague,  moderator;  Moses  Robinson,  town  clerk; 
Samuel  Montague,  Samuel  Scott,  James  Breakeuridge,  Benajali 
Rude,  and  Joseph  Wickwire,  selectmen ;  Deacon  Joseph  Safford, 
town  treasurer;  Samuel  Robinson,  Jr.,  and  John  Smith,  Jr., 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 

2  See  journal  of  Council  of  Safety  in  "  Vermont  State  Papers." 


STICKING    TIMES.  69 

constables ;  Deacon  Safford  and  Elisha  Field,  tithing-mcn ;  Peter 
Harwood  and  John  Smith,  Jr.,  hay-wards;  Samuel  Atwood  and 
Samuel  Pratt,  fence  viewers;  Timothy  Pratt  and  Oliver  Scott, 
deer-rifts." 

Of  the  first  company  of  militia  organized,  October  24, 
1764,  all  the  officers  were  or  became  members  of  the  church 
under  Mr.  Dewey. 

Cluster  Roll  of  the  First  Company  of  Militia,  etc. 

Officers :  John  Fassett,  captain ;  James  Breakenridge,  lieuten 
ant;  Elisha  Field,  ensign.  —  Warrant  Officers  :  Leonard  Robinson, 
first  sergeant ;  Samuel  Safford,  second  do. ;  Ebenezer  Wood,  third 
do. ;  Henry  Walbridge,  fourth  do.  —  Rank  and  File  :  Benjamin 
Whipple,  first  corporal ;  John  Wood,  second  do. ;  Samuel  Pratt, 
third  do. ;  Peter  Harwood,  fourth. 

Deacon  Joseph  Safford  and  Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  re 
ceived  from  the  proprietors'  meeting  and  fulfilled  the  con 
tract  to  build  the  first  grist-mill  and  to  keep  it  in  repair 
ten  years,  that  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  Samuel  Rob 
inson,  Esq.,  was  the  first  Justice  of  the  Peace  under  the 
province  of  New  Hampshire,  appointed  to  that  office  within 
the  limits  of  the  State.  In  the  summer  of  1764,  Esquire 
Robinson,  as  magistrate,  came  into  collision  with  the  New 
York  officers  in  a  controversy  about  jurisdiction  in  Pownal, 
and  was  arrested  and  carried  to  Albany  jail. 

In  the  time  of  Mr.  Dewey's  pastorate,  though  within  two 
years  of  its  close,  the  declaration  of  American  Indepen 
dence  was  adopted ;  also  that  of  the  independence  of  the 
State  ;  also  the  State  constitution,  adopted  in  convention, 
and  the  officers  elected  and  other  necessary  measures  ex 
ecuted  by  which  Vermont  became,  in  her  own  name,  a 
sovereign  and  independent  State.  The  time  of  Mr.  Avery's 
pastorate  here  —  the  whole  period  from  the  decease  of  Mr. 
De we}',  to  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Swift —  was  filled  up  with 


70  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

as  much  intense  excitement  of  civil  affairs  as,  perhaps,  any 
other  period  of  like  extent  in  the  history  of  the  town.  It 
is  impossible  duly  to  appreciate  the  church's  position  and 
career  at  such  a  time  without  understanding  the  contem 
porary  civil  and  military  history  of  the  town  and  of  the 
State.  It  is  evident  the  spirituality  of  the  church  must 
have  been  put  to  a  severe  test  in  the  midst  of  such  pro 
found  civil  and  social  agitation,  and  so  great  and  abound 
ing  worldly  cares. 

But  in  such  a  community  and  at  such  a  time  religion  did 
not  struggle  doubtfully  to  maintain  its  foothold.  It 
struck  its  roots  deep  into  the  hardy  soil.  The  tree  still 
flourishes.  I  speak  not  now  of  the  First  Church  alone,  but 
of  all  branches  of  Christ's  church  in  the  town.  The  tree 
of  religion,  which  was  planted  in  this  soil  at  the  outset  of 
the  gathering  of  a  community  here,  took  deep  root  amid 
all  the  struggles,  commotions,  and  rude  first  essayings  of 
public  enterprise  and  of  individual  will.  It  still  flourishes, 
and  the  vigor  thereof  is  genuine  and  enduring.1 

l  See,  further  onward  in  the  volume,  dates  and  statistics  of  the  other  churches, 
down  to  Jan.  1,  1863. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

REVIVALS. 

HE  late  Rev.  Dr.  Hawes,  of  Hartford,  said  of  the 
church  of  which  he  was  pastor  (the  church  first 
organized  in  Connecticut)  :  — 

"  This  church  has  ever  believed  in  revivals  of  religion, 
and  owes  all  its  prosperity  to  those  oft-repeated  visita 
tions  of  mercy."  l 

The  same  remark  may  be  applied  to  this  the  first  church 
organized  within  the  limits  of  Vermont.  The  operations 
of  the  Spirit  of  God  in  revivals  are,  to  some  extent,  matter 
of  human  study,  and  have  some  general  laws  which  appear 
to  be  discernible  by  human  judgment ;  but  at  the  same 
time  they  involve  the  profoundest,  as  well  as  the  most 
momentous,  of  all  the  special  exertions  of  the  divine  power 
of  God  in  the  world.  It  has  been  the  sacred  privilege  of 
this  church  in  repeated  instances,  and  in  no  common  de 
gree,  to  witness  these  remarkable  displays  of  divine  power 
in  the  hearts  of  men  and  the  assemblies  of  God's  people. 

Its  Separate  origin  would  warrant  our  ascribing  to  the 
Bennington  church  the  approval  of  religious  revivals. 
Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  was  an  attendant  upon  Whitfield  s 
ministry  while  in  London,  and  upon  his  decease  was  in 
terred  in  the  burying-ground  attached  to  Whitfield's  meet 
ing-house.  After  Esquire  Robinson's  decease,  Whitfield, 
being  on  one  of  his  preaching  tours  in  this  country,  sent 

1  Cont.  Ecc.  Hist.,  Conn.,  p.  90. 


72  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

word  to  Bennington  that  he  was  charged  with  messages 
from  Mr.  Robinson,  but  could  come  no  nearer  than  Albany. 
Moses  Robinson,  his  son,  afterward  governor,  went  to 
Albany  to  meet  Mr.  Whitfield,  and  hear  him  preach  ;  his 
mother  accompanied  him,  riding  upon  a  favorite  mare. 

From  the  number,  thirty-six,  known  to  have  been  re 
ceived  into  the  church  in  1765,  there  must  have  been  a  re 
vival  at  that  time.  In  1784,  while  the  church  was  without 
a  pastor, and  Messrs.  Wood  and  Burton  preached  here  tem 
porarily,  forty  are  known  to  have  been  received  into  the 
church,  and  that  special  awakening  has  received  the  name 
of  the  Wood  and  Burton  Revival. 

I.  THE  REVIVAL  OF  1803.  —  Let  us  go  back  and  en 
deavor  to  recall  somewhat  of  the  revival  of  1803.  From 
June  7,  1801,  to  the  fall  of  1804,  the  church  was  without  a 
pastor,  and  the  state  of  religion  and  morals  appears  to 
have  fallen  surprisingly  low.  The  reputation  of  the  town 
for  irreligion,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  must  have  become 
quite  the  reverse  of  what  it  previously  had  been.  A  Miss 
Eleanor  Read  was  at  that  time  teacher  of  a  select  school 
in  the  building,  now  occupied  as  a  residence,  first  south  of 
the  old  academy.  She  taught  school  in  the  upper  story, 
a  saddler's  shop  being  upon  the  first  floor.  She  enjoyed  a 
high  reputation  as  a  teacher.  In  a  letter  to  a  friend,  dated 
September  1,  1802,  she  saj^s  :  — 


endure  sickness  and  trouble,  such  as  I  never  experienced  before. 
In  the  midst  of  greatness  and  grandeur,  every  face  was  new,  and 
seemed  marked  with  haughty  ostentation.  " 

At  length,  as  she  says,  she  summoned  all  her  fortitude, 
and  met  with  marked  success.  Miss  Read  was  one  of  the 
converts  in  the  revival,  and  she  published  a  narrative  and 


EDITORIAL    1^    THE    "  GAZETTE."  73 

letters.  —  (Press  of  Anthony  Haswell).  In  one  of  these 
letters  we  have  an  account  of  a  singular  circumstance  as 
the  incipient  occasion  of  her  awakening,  and  also  a  glimpse 
of  the  religious  and  moral  state  of  the  community  immedi 
ately  preceding  the  revival.  She  mentions  a  letter  she 
had  received  from  a  minister  of  Chelsea, — 

"In  which  he  observes  that  the  degeneracy  of  Bennington  was 
truly  lamentable;  that  their  depravity,  infidelity,  and  heaven-dar 
ing  wickedness  had  become  a  subject  of  lamentation  to  the  friends 
of  Zion. "  "  He  also  observed  that  he  thanked  God  I  was  with 
them  to  lead  the  dear  young  people  in  the  ways  of  piety  and  vir 
tue.  This  expression  struck  me  very  forcibly  and  led  me  to  reflect 
on  my  unworthiness,  and  insufficiency  to  teach  them  that  which 
I  had  reasons  to  fear  I  was  myself  unacquainted  with.  " 

Whether  the  strong  language  of  the  Chelsea  minister  was 
warranted  or  not,  there  was  doubtless  some  occasion  for  it. 

The  Indian,  or  Canadian,  Gordon,  was  killed  about  this 
time  (Aug.  8, 1802),  and  a  notice  of  this  affair  in  the  "  Ver 
mont  Gazette"  of  Aug.  16,  gives  us  some  glimpses  of  the 
state  of  society.  Stephen  Gordon  was  so  injured  by 
wounds  received  in  an  affray  with  two  young  men,  named 
George  Tibbets  and  George  Whitney  (on  Sunday  p.  M.),  as 
to  die  on  Tuesday  morning  following,  and  on  Wednesday 
his  remains  were  interred  and  an  affecting  discourse  was 
delivered  to  a  crowded  audience,  from  Psalm  xix.  12,  13. 
The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  notice  referred  to  : — 

"  Never  wras  greater  solemnity  observable  in  Bennington  on 
any  former  occasion  than  prevailed  during  the  exercises ;  at  the 
close  of  which,  Tibbets,  one  of  the  prisoners,  in  pathetic  terms, 
warned  the  assembled  audience,  young  and  old,  against  the  evil 
tendency  of  Sabbath-breaking,  as  exemplified  in  their  unhappy 
situation. 

In  reflecting  upon  late  occurrences  in  our  vicinity,  the  contem 
plative  mind  necessarily  looks  for  an  appropriate  cause,  and  exer 
cises  its  faculties  to  discover  a  remedy.  But  a  few  days  have 
7 


74  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

elapsed  since  the  inhabitants  of  Bennington  could  say  that  the 
crime  of  suicide  and  murder  never  existed  among  them.  The 
scene  is  now  dreadfully  reversed.  " 

The  editorial  recites  a  case  of  suicide  which  had  recently 
occurred,  then  returns  to  the  Whitney  and  Tibbets  murder 
ous  affray,  and  proceeds  thus  :  — 

"Fellow-citizens,  there  is  a  moral  and  a  natural  cause  for  these 
things,  and  in  the  opinion  of  considerable  numbers  the  moral  cause 
is  the  declension  of  religion ;  the  natural  cause,  the  prevalence  of 
folly,  and  the  introduction  of  frivolous  amusements,  gambling  and 
intemperance.  Fathers  of  families,  parents,  consider  the  conse 
quence  of  permitting  your  sons  to  attend  unlawful  games,  cards, 
dice,  and  billiards,  even  within  the  restrictions  of  the  licensing  law 
of  the  last  Assembly  of  Vermont,  which  was  imposed  upon  us  under 
pretence  of  interdicting  such  practices.  At  such  places  as  card 
tables  and  billiard  tables  animosities  are  frequently  engendered, 
and  the  trifling  emoluments  to  the  individual  owning  the  table 
accrue  through  the  debasement  of  numbers  and  the  ruin  of  some  of 
its  attendants.  Mothers,  consider  the  consequences  to  your 
daughters :  in  proportion  as  gambling  and  irregularity  engage 
the  mind  of  a  man,  female  attractions  and  virtue  lose  their  charms, 
and  lewdness  and  inconstancy  become  less  odious  than  formerly 
in  their  eyes.  Thus  your  sons  become  worse  husbands  and  worse 
men,  and  your  daughters  more  lonesome  and  unhappy  women.  A 
billiard  table  until  within  a  short  time  past  was  as  unknown  in 
Bennington  as  suicide  and  the  slaughter  of  man  by  man,"  etc. 

This  extract  shows  that  the  editor  at  least  was  a  timely 
sentinel,  and  that  the  community  had  not  yet  become  so 
familiar  with  scenes  of  gross  immorality  as  to  be  unaffected 
with  profound  concern  by  the  fact  of  their  occurrence. 

But  so  far  as  irreligion  and  immorality  were  becoming 
bold,  we  have  illustrated  more  clearly  the  virtue  of  prayer, 
and  the  power  of  the  grace  of  God,  which  triumphed  over 
every  obstacle.  The  affair,  which  called  out  the  editorial 
quoted  from,  occurred  in  August,  1802  ;  in  the  winter  of 
1802-3  came  one  of  the  most  powerful  revivals  Bennington 


OPEN- AIR   MEETINGS.  75 

has  ever  witnessed.  Three  members  of  our  church  survive 
who  were  added  to  it  among  the  fruits  of  that  revival :  Mrs. 
Betsey  Edgerton,  Mrs.  Celinda  Henry,  and  Mrs.  Lucinda 
Hubbell.1  There  are  not  a  few  who  recollect  it.  It  made 
a  vivid  impression  on  the  mind.  It  will  be  remembered  by 
many  with  gratitude  to  God  through  eternity. 

It  was  still  the  time  of  the  old  meeting-house.  Those 
interested  in  the  project  of  having  a  new  meeting-house 
had  been  trying  ten  years,  and  in  vain,  to  obtain  a  success 
ful  movement  of  the  town  to  build  one.  In  the  winter  of 
1803-4  the  movement  under  the  new  and  less  stringent 
law  was  successful.  This  was  the  winter  immediately  suc 
ceeding  the  revival,  and  we  may  infer  the  one  event  had 
something  to  do  with  the  other.  At  the  time  of  the 
commencement  and  during  the  height  of  the  revival  the 
old  meeting-house  was  standing.  But  it  was  not  at  all 
times  adequate  to  hold  the  numbers  that  then  pressed  to 
hear  the  word  of  God.  It  was  in  vogue  at  that  time  to  hold 
protracted  meetings  in  the  open  air.  There  was  a  three- 
days'  meeting  here  in  the  open  air. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Davis  preached  here  in  that  meeting,  and 
at  other  places  also  in  the  town.  A  committee  went  down 
to  Mendon,  in  Massachusetts,  to  obtain  him.  He  was,  ac 
cording  to  the  imperfect  accounts  we  now  get,  an  abrupt, 
uncultivated,  ut  ea  rnest  and  successful,  laborer  here  in 
that  revival.  A  Rev.  Mr.  Nelson  preached  here  also,  who 
was  more  learned  and  methodical,  "  a  very  able  man." 

The  Rev.  J.  Spaulding  is  remembered  as  preaching  here, 
at  that  time,  with  great  elevation  and  power  of  language, 
particularly  upon  the  attributes  of  God,  —  the  divine  be 
nevolence,  —  and  in  connection  therewith  illustrating  with 
uncommon  solemnity  the  obligations  and  guilt  of  sinners, 
as  well  as  the  blessedness  of  the  heavenly  state. 

1  All  these  have  since  deceased. 


76  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Elder  Caleb  Blood,  minister  to  the  West  Church  in 
Shaftsbury,  near  the  burying-ground,  came,  with  his  dea 
con,  Jno.  Dowries.  Elder  Blood  said  to  Mr.  Haswell,  "  We 
have  come  down  to  warm  by  your  fire,  for  our  fire  has  gone 
out."  Not  that  the  church  had  become  extinct,  but  its  re 
vival  spirit  had  declined  ;  and,  by  coming  to  the  meetings 
in  Bennington  at  that  time,  his  people  were  warmed  anew. 
The  Rev.  Solomon  Allen,  of  Pittsfield,  was  here  at  the 
three-days'  meeting ;  so  also  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Jackson  of 
Dorset,  and  Preston  of  Rupert,  and  the  colored  preacher 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Haynes. 

The  three-days'  open-air  meetings  were  held  on  the  side- 
hill,  east  of  S.  S.  Scott's  residence.  At  that  time  Gov. 
Moses  Robinson  was  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  church  ;  and 
possibly  the  place  of  meeting  being  on  the  road  to  his 
house  and  in  its  vicinity  may  be  accounted  for  by  that 
fact.  The  cluster  of  houses  on  that  corner,  namely,  S.  S. 
Scott's,  Mrs.  Raymond's,  and  Mr.  Moses  Harrington's,  were 
not  then  built.  During  the  meeting,  a  staging  for  the  min 
isters  and  others  broke  down,  —  one  of  the  few  circum 
stances  recollected  by  persons  now  living.  No  one  was 
seriously  injured,  though  some  were  much  frightened. 

Daniel  Smith,  afterward  the  Rev.  Daniel  Smith,  of  St. 
Louis,  was  one  of  the  converts.  Another  was  the  Miss 
Eleanor  Read,  as  already  noticed.  She  was  a  consistent, 
happy  Christian,  and.  died  a  triumphant  death.  We  find 
the  spirit  of  the  revival  manifesting  itself  in  the  columns 
of  the  "Vermont  Gazette,"  then  published  here;  among 
other  ways,  in  original  stanzas,  of  great  spirituality  and 
fervency.  Two  stanzas  are  selected  from  a  contribution 
of  this  sort  to  the  "  Gazette"  of  July  12,  1803,  and  intro 
duced  in  a  note  to  the  editor,  signed  William  Kinnis  :  — 


HYMNS.  77 

"  To  meditate  on  heavenly  things 
Gives  to  my  thought  an  angel's  wings, 
Bears  my  aspiring  mind  above, 
And  fills  my  breast  with  holy  love. 

"  My  flesh  and  bones  exult  with  joy, 
And  holy  zeal  without  alloy  ; 
My  inmost  soul  doth  all  rejoice, 
Absorbed  in  Christ,  my  only  choice." 

Some  stanzas  from  another  hymn,  u  occasioned  by  the 
present  evidently  awakened  attention  of  the  town  to  the 
things  of  religion,"  are  inserted  here,  not  so  much  for 
poetic  merit  as  a  witness  to  the  revival.  —  Gazette  of  Nov. 
15,  1802. 

"  Oh,  art  thou  passing  by? 

And  may  we  see  thy  face? 
Let  every  blind  Bartimeus  cry, 
Lord  Jesus,  grant  me  grace  ! 

"  Let  each  Zaccheus  flee 

To  catch  a  passing  glimpse ; 
With  zeal  ascend  the  gospel  tree, 
And  baffle  Satan's  imps. 

"  Eestrain  reviling  tongues : 

Be  thou  the  convert's  stay ; 
Sustain  their  hopes,  avenge  their  wrongs, 
And  wipe  their  tears  away. 

11  Let  Bennington  rejoice, 

Her  church  with  joy  be  filled, 
And  every  heart,  and  every  voice, 
Exult  in  grace  distilled." 

The  published  account  of  Miss  Read's  conversion  may 
not  be  interesting  to  all ;  but,  doubtless,  it  reflects  with 
considerable  accuracy  the  spirit  of  the  revival.  For  this 
reason,  a  somewhat  lengthy  extract  is  presented.  Refer- 

7* 


78  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

ring  to  her  attendance  at  an  inquiry-meeting,  where  were 
present  anxious  inquirers  and  young  converts,  she  proceeds 
as  follows :  — 

"An  aged  man  came  forward,  and,  in  trembling  accents,  de 
clared  what  God  had  done  for  his  soul.  Then  a  girl  of  ten  years 
old,  in  a  manner  the  most  animating,  related  her  remarkable  ex 
periences.  I  began  to  reflect  on  the  assertion  of  Mr.  Spaulding 
that  God  is  good.  Surely,  thought  I,  these  happy  souls  can  attest 
the  truth  of  this  assertion.  Their  salvation  is  really  as  important 
as  mine ;  and  it  is  remarkable  that  I  should  rejoice  in  their  happy 
deliverance  from  the  bondage  of  sin.  God  has  been  long  tender 
ing  me  the  same  blessed  deliverance.  But  I,  fool  indeed,  with 
such  a  price  to  get  wisdom,  had  no  heart  for  it.  Why,  then, 
should  I  murmur?  How  can  I  repine?  I  am  forever  lost;  but 
God  is  just.  Upon  this  most  hearty  confession  my  long-pent  tears 
flowed ;  and,  while  bursting  sobs  almost  tore  my  heart  asunder,  I 
reviewed  my  desperately  wicked  exercises  toward  him,  whom  I 
now  saw  to  be  just  even  in  my  eternal  condemnation.  Surely, 
thought  I,  of  all  the  unreasonable  wretches  in  existence,  I  am  the 
most  deserving  of  hell.  Here  I  experienced  such  unusual  convul 
sions  of  body  as  induced  me  to  take  hold  of  a  chair  before  me  to 
enable  me  to  keep  my  seat.  I  verily  supposed  that  my  soul  was 
taking  its  final  separation  from  my  body.  I  attempted  to  arise, 
in  order  to  go  into  another  room,  but  found  it  impossible.  I  must 
expire,  thought  I,  in  the  midst  of  this  assembly,  for  an  example 
of  God's  righteous  displeasure.  It  is  just  that  it  should  be  so ; 
and  every  one  present  must  rejoice  in  this  expression  of  his  right 
eous  indignation  against  such  a  vile  worker  of  iniquity.  Here  I 
viewed  myself  a  criminal,  justly  condemned  to  all  the  tortures  of 
endless  despair.  No  gleam  of  hope  beamed  on  my  benighted  soul. 
No  fond  expectations  from  creature  aid  whispered  consolation. 
Against  God  only  had  I  offended,  and  done  this  great  wickedness, 
and  he  only  could  afford  me  help.  My  soul  seemed  humbled  in 
the  dust  in  view  of  my  condemnation,  while  I  was  constrained  to 
cry  out  in  spirit, « Even  so,  Lord  God  Almighty,  true  and  righteous 
are  thy  judgments.'  At  this  view  of  my  wretched,  hopeless  situa 
tion,  the  following  words  passed  sweetly  through  my  mind,  and 
with  such  delightful  energy  as  thrilled  through  my  whole  soul, 
and  filled  me  with  rapture  inexpressible :  — 


THE   FRIDAY  MEETING.  79 

"  '  Jesus,  to  thy  dear,  faithful  hand,  » 

My  naked  soul  I  trust.' 

"  At  this  most  cordial  disposal  of  myself  into  the  hands  of  a  glo 
rious  Redeemer,  the  thick  cloud  seemed  to  disperse,  and  give  place 
to  such  a  transporting  view  of  the  blessed  Saviour  as  no  words 
can  express.  With  an  eye  of  faith,  I  beheld  his  transcendent 
glory,  more  conspicuous  than  that  of  the  natural  sun  in  meridian 
splendor,  when  bursting  from  behind  the  thickest  clouds.  I  could 
no  more  doubt  of  the  being  and  divinity  of  Christ  than  of  my  own 
existence.  He  was  presented  to  my  spiritual  view  in  such  sub 
stantial  glory  as  caused  me  to  adopt  the  acclamation  of  the  aston 
ished  Thomas:  '  My  Lord  and  my  God!'  Here  all  my  distress 
subsided,  and  all  my  anxiety  for  beloved  self  was  cured.  I  was 
astonished  that  I  could  ever  have  felt  such  anxiety  for  myself. 
The  greatness  of  God's  character,  and  the  glorious  scheme  of  re 
demption,  filled  me  with  wonder,  admiration,  and  joy.  I  raised 
my  head,  and  looked  on  Mr.  Spaulding,  who  was  zealously  engaged 
in  illustrating  the  righteousness  of  Christ;  but,  oh!  how  altered 
was  his  aspect !  '  How  beautiful,'  thought  I,  «  are  the  feet  of  him 
that  bring eth  good  tidings,  tliat  publisheth  peace,  that  saith  unto  Zion, 
Thy  God  rcigneth.' " 

In  conclusion  of  the  account  of  this  revival,  the  follow 
ing  anecdote  of  Ezekiel  Harmon,  familiarly  told,  but  per 
tinent,  may  be  introduced.  It  is  preserved  as  related  by 
Mrs.  Austin  Harmon,  third  wife  of  Austin  Harmon,  grand 
father  of  the  present  Austin  Harmon,  and  sister-in-law  of 
Ezekiel.  "  Ezekiel  Harmon  called  at  the  door  of  our  house 
as  he  was  returning  from  the  Friday  meeting.  I  inquired 
of  him  if  he  had  been  to  the  Friday  meeting,  and  if  it  was 
a  good  one.  '  A  glorious  one ! '  said  he.  '  How  many  were 
there  ? '  I  inquired.  His  reply  was, '  Four,  —  Gov.  Robinson, 

Mrs.  Judge  Robinson, ,  and  myself.     We  had  a  glorious 

meeting.  We  got  the  promise.'  I  looked,  and  I  thought 
brother  Ezekiel's  face  fairly  shone."  This  was  a  short  time, 
the  summer  or  fall,  before  the  great  revival  of  1803. 1 

1  This  Friday  meeting  is  noticed  in  two  or  three  other  instances  in  the  vol 
ume.    "  The  Friday  p.  M.  prayer-meeting  went  back  to  the  formation  of  the 


80  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  names  of  ninety-three  are  on  the  roll  of  the  church 
as  added  to  it  at  this  time.  But  aged  inhabitants  have 
stated  the  impression  that  there  were  about  two  hundred 
hopeful  conversions. 

The  moral  and  religious  tone  of  societ}T  again  became 
elevated.  The  new  meeting-house  was  built ;  considered, 
as  doubtless  it  was,  in  advance  of  any  other  church  edifice 
in  this  part  of  the  country,  it  added  to  the  new  impulse 
which  public  worship  had  received  from  the  great  revival. 
The  town  was  distinguished*  for  the  intelligence  and  influ 
ence  of  its  people.  Hon.  S.  H.  Brown  relates  some  remi 
niscences  by  Col.  Hinman,  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  who  was  a  visitor 
here  some  few  years  since.  Among  other  things,  that 
gentleman  remarked  that  he  could  recollect  the  time,  say 
1808-1820,  when  there  was  the  best  society  in  Bennington 
he  ever  saw,  —  men  of  a  superior  order  of  talent,  gentlemen 
in  their  manners,  of  eminent  influence  and  position  in  po 
litical  circles  and  in  professional  life. 

II.  OTHER  REVIVALS.  —  In  1811  (during  the  pastorate 
of  the  Rev.  Daniel  Marsh),  thirtj'-eight  are  known  to  have 
been  received  into  the  church.  In  1820  (the  year  in  which 
the  Rev.  Absalom  Peters  was  ordained  and  installed  over 
the  church) ,  thirty-three  were  added.  In  1827  (the  second 
year  of  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark),  there 
was  an  accession  of  one  hundred  and  one.  In  1838  (the  * 
interval  between  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark  and 
that  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hooker),  one  hundred  and  sixty-eight 
were  added  to  the  church.  In  1834  (in  the  pastorate  of  the 
Rev.  E.  W.  Hooker),  ninety  were  received  into  the  church. 
Without  pursuing  the  list  further,  it  is  apparent  there  have 

church,  and  continued  until  three  years  after  Mr.  Hooker  came.  It  was  held  in 
the  meeting-house,  in  earliest  times  not  uncommonly  at  Mrs.  Samuel  Robinson, 
Sen.  I  have  known  my  father  to  go  when  there  were  but  two  or  three."  —  W. 
Haswell. 


JTAPPY   COMMUNION  SEASON.  81 

been  repeated  seasons  of  special  religious  awakening,  and 
large  ingatherings  into  the  church  since  the  revival  of  1803. 

That,  in  1831,  may  be  called,  perhaps,  the  greatest  re 
vival,  certainly  next  to  that  of  1803.  In  the  revival  of 
1831,  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  persons  were  received 
into  the  church  at  one  communion. 

The  following  graphic  account  of  that  occasion  is  from 
Dr.  Peters'  "  Birthday  Memorial,"  Appendix,  p.  64  :  — 

"I  cannot  close  ray  reminiscences  of  the  church  in  Bennington 
without  recurring  to  a  scene  of  surpassing  interest,  in  which  I 
was  called  to  participate  some  five  years  after  my  dismission  from 
its  pastoral  care.  My  immediate  successor,  the  late  Rev.  Daniel 
A.  Clark,  had  already  closed  his  ministry  there,  and  the  church 
was  without  a  pastor.  But  where  his  ministry  had  planted  and 
watered,  God  was  giving  the  increase.  It  was  that  wonderful 
year  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High  in  many  of  the  churches, 
1831.  In  connection  with  the  preaching  of  Ilev.  E.  N.  Kirk,  then 
of  Albany,  and  others  who  had  temporarily  supplied  the  pulpit,  a 
great  revival  of  religion  had  been  wrought.  A  large  number  of 
the  hopefully  converted  had  been  examined  and  accepted,  and 
were  awaiting  a  formal  admission  to  the  church  at  the  next  com 
munion  day,  September  4th.  I  was  present  by  invitation,  preached 
on  the  occasion,  presided  at  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Sup 
per,  and  admitted  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  persons,  on  confes 
sion  of  their  faith,  to  their  first  communion  at  the  Lord's  table. 
Their  ages  ranged  from  thirteen  to  seventy  years,  and  seventy- 
six  of  the  number,  not  having  been  baptized  in  infancy,  received 
the  sacrament  of  baptism. 

"  The  baptismal  service  alone,  for  seventy-six  persons  in  succes 
sion,  which  was  performed  wholly  by  myself,  occupied  all  of  two 
hours.  Yet  this,  with  the  other  protracted  exercises,  produced  no 
weariness  in  the  congregation.  A  wakeful,  earnest  attention  and 
a  tearful  interest  pervaded  the  assembly,  and  indicated  a  divine 
presence  above  and  around  us." 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

THE  FIRST  SEVEN  PASTORS. 

)HE  REV.  JEDIDIAH  DEWEY.  —  Of  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Dewe}',  the  first  pastor  of  the  church,  it  is  to  be 
regretted  that  so  imperfect  a  memorial  has  been 
preserved.  Nevertheless  the  testimon}^  which  we 
have  (being  found  here  and  there  in  relations  so 
diverse  from  each  other,  and  so  foreign  to  any  de 
sign  of  a  formal  eulogy)  is  the  more  conclusive  to  his  wortfc. 
Of  the  extraordinary  measures  to  obtain  Mr.  Dewey  to  the 
pastorship  of  this  church  mention  has  been  already  made 
in  the  account  of  the  organization  of  the  church. 

Unquestionable  evidence  has  descended  to  us  of  his  fer 
vent  piety  and  ability,  as  well  as  fidelity.  A  letter  from 
Westfield,  Mass.,  from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  Emerson  Davis, 
D.D.,  pastor  of  the  original  church  in  Westfield  (which  Mr. 
Dewey  left  to  join  the  Separates)  is  interesting ;  and  some 
extracts  from  it  may  be  presented  here  :  — 

"  Mr.  Dewey  united  with  the  church  (the  original  church 
in  Westfield)  in  1737,  at  twenty-three  years  of  age.  Soon 
after  this  the  church  adopted  the  half-way  covenant.  .  .  . 
This  was  particularly  offensive  to  some  of  the  earnest  and 
devoted  members.  They  said  the  church  had  abandoned 
its  principles  and  would  admit  unconverted  persons  to  the 
church.  Many  absented  themselves  from  the  communion. 
They  left  the  church.  Mr.  Dewey  did  so,  in  1748.  He 
was  called  to  give  account  in  1749.  In  1750  the  church 
voted  that,  inasmuch  as  he  had  gone  out  from  them,  had 


MR.  DEWEY'S  STERLIXG  QUALITIES.  83 

joined  the  Separates,  and  become  their  preacher,  that  they 
would  no  longer  regard  him  as  one  of  their  number.  They 
did  not  call  it  excommunication,  but  a  withdrawal  of  fel 
lowship.  Mrs.  Dewey  was  cut  off  in  the  same  manner  in 
1751.  Mr.  Dewey  had  only  a  common-school  education, 
but  he  was  intelligent  and  gifted.  His  Christian  character 
stood  high.  The  church  refused  to  excommunicate  him,  be 
cause  it  would  imply  something  criminal,  and  so  they  only 
withdrew  fellowship." 

From  these  few  but  interesting  particulars  we  can  learn 
somewhat  as  to  the  sort  of  man  he  was.  He  was  an  ear 
nest  Christian,  and  had  a  conscience  of  his  own,  and  aimed 
to  do  good,  that  his  life  should  not  be  a  blank.  He  had 
learned  the  trade  of  a  Carpenter.  "When  the  first  meeting 
house  was  raised  the  force  was  insufficient,  and  one  of  the 
sides  halted  when  partly  up.  Mr.  Dewey  stepped  forward 
and  said  to  the  builder,  "  Do  you  take  a  pole  and  help  to 
lift  with  the  men,  and  I  will  give  the  word  of  command." 
The  builder  complied.  At  that  instant  two  men  came 
riding  up  on  horseback  from  the  south.  The}''  dismounted, 
and  also  grasped  the  poles.  Mr.  Dewey  gave  the  word  of 
command,  and  the  side  of  the  frame  went  up  forthwith  to 
its  perpendicular  position,  was  fastened,  and  the  raising  of 
the  building  was  completed  without  further  delay.  He 
also  built  or  superintended  the  building  of  the  house  in 
which  he  resided. 

It  is  a  proof  of  Mr.  Dewey's  sterling  qualities  that, 
though  a  Separate  and  without  liberal  education,  and 
though  a  party  was  increasing  in  the  church  more  in  sym 
pathy  with  the  Standing  Order  Congregational  churches,  — 
a  reaction  apparent  in  the  controversy  of  the  church  respect 
ing  the  method  of  raising  the  salary  and  other  moneys  for 
expense  of  public  worship,  and  which  became  decisive  in 
the  character  of  Mr.  Dewey's  successor,  and  in  the  charac- 


84  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

ter  of  the  men  composing  the  council  which  installed  Mr. 
A  very,  —  yet  Mr.  Dewey  was  as  much  esteemed  by  the 
conservatives  as  by  any  portion  of  the  church  and  congre 
gation.  An  incidental  paragraph  in  the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery's 
published  narrative  corroborates  the  estimate  here  pre 
sented.  Referring  to  the  history  of  the  church  under  Mr. 
Dewey's  ministry,  he  says  :  — 

"As  a  number  of  professors,  not  of  the  Separate  order, 
have  become  inhabitants  of  the  town,  and  have  great  re 
spect  for  the  personal  and  ministerial  endowmehts  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Dewey,  who  was  of  catholic  and  liberal  princi 
ples,  they  have,  at  different  periods,  joined  the  communion 
here." 

From  the  time  of  his  first  connection  with  the  Westfield 
church  as  its  pastor  to  the  close  of  his  labors  in  Benning- 
ton  was  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years.  His  pastorate  of 
the  Bennington  church  continued  through  a  period  of  fifteen 
years  and  four  months. 

In  rude  and  boisterous  times  he  built  up  the  infant  church 
in  its  new  home,  and  left  it  to  his  successor  with  a  roll  of 
at  least  one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  names.  (Inclusive 
of  those  deceased  and  those  dismissed.) 

Mr.  Dewey  was  also  a  patriot.  With  a  warm  love  of  his 
people,  and  a  profound  interest  in  the  future  prosperit}r  of 
the  infant  settlement  where  he  had  cast  in  his  lot,  his  ener 
gies  were  unavoidably  taxed,  not  only  by  the  spiritual 
wants,  but  also  by  the  secular  exigencies  of  the  commumt}r. 
As  early  as  January,  1770,  he  was  indicted  with  others  at 
Albany  as  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  efforts  of  the  settlers 
to  maintain  their  land-titles  ;  not  that  he  was  active  in 
any  violent  sense,  but  his  counsels  were  understood  at  Al 
bany  to  have  weight  with  his  fellow-citizens,  on  public 
affairs.  In  May,  1772,  in  a  spirited  correspondence  be 
tween  the  New  York  governor  and  the  inhabitants  of  Ben- 


MR.    DEWEY  A   PATRIOT.  85 

nington,  his  name  is  foremost  in  the  address  of  the  gov 
ernor's  letter,  and  at  the  head  of  the  signatures  in  the  reply 
of  the  Bennington  men  to  that  letter.  The  following  pas 
sage  occurs  in  that  letter:  "I  am  told  Mr.  Dewey,  a 
minister  of  the  gospel,  James  Breakenridge,  and  Mr.  Fay 
(Dr.  Jonas  Fay)  are  persons  in  whose  judgment  you  have 
much  confidence.  I  should  therefore  think  they  would  be 
your  proper  messengers  on  a  business  in  which  you  are  so 
deeply  concerned ;  especially  Mr.  Dewey,  who  has  been  fa 
vorably  represented  here  since  my  appointment  to  this  gov 
ernment."1  As  the  result  of  this  correspondence  with 
Governor  Tryon,  in  which  Mr.  Dewey  took  a  leading *part, 
the  government  of  New  York  for  a  time  quite  modified  its 
course ;  so  much  so  that  the  settlers  here  thought  their 
troubles  connected  with  this  controversy  had  come  to  an , 
end.  Guns  were  fired  in  Bennington,  speeches  made,  and 
a  vast  concourse  from  this  and  neighboring  places  united 
in  celebrating  what  they  believed,  or  hoped,  was  the  dawn 
of  peace.  These  bright  hopes  were  destined,  however,  to 
be  blasted  ;  but  it  shows  that  Mr.  Dewey  did  what  he  could 
wisely,  by  peaceful  negotiation,  to  bring  an  end  to  contro 
versy,  and  that  his  influence  with  Governor  Tryon  was  not 
inconsiderable. 

But  Mr.  Dewey,  it  appears,  understood  and  applied  the 
maxim,  that  there  are  times  when  forbearance  ceases  to  be 
a  virtue ;  and  hence  he  was  feared  as  well  as  respected  at 
Alban}T.  He  was,  as  all  accounts  agree,  a  man  of  stern 
force  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  according  to  his  con 
science.  In  1777,  when  the  Revolutionary  War  had  com 
menced,  and  the  enemy  were  descending  the  Hudson  River 
with  great  force,  and  threatening  to  devastate  the  whole 
countiy,  and  had  sent  a  detachment  to  capture  the  military 
stores  at  Bennington,  he  preached  a  war  sermon.  He  told 

1  See  State  Papers,  pp.  22,  23. 


8G  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

his  people  to  take  arms  and  go  fight  for  their  countiy. 
On  the  next  Saturday  the  Bennington  battle  was  fought 
and  won.  The  two  following  anecdotes  do  not  seem  exactly 
credible,  but  they  are  among  the  traditional  anecdotes  of 
Bennington,  and  given  as  related  to  the  writer :  — 

It  is  related  that  on  one  occasion,  when  Ethan  Allen  was 
in  the  congregation,  and  Mr.  Dewey  was  preaching  on  the 
character  of  God,  some  remark  in  the  discourse  displeased 
Col.  Allen  ;  he  arose  in  his  place  at  the  head  of  a  prominent 
pew  in  the  broad  aisle,  and  sa}Ting  with  an  audible  voice, 
"  IT'S  NOT  so,"  started  to  go  out  of  the  pew,  evidently 
with  the  intention  of  leaving  the  house.  Mr.  Dewey,  lift 
ing  up  his  right  hand,  and  pointing  with  his  fore-finger  di 
rectly  at  Col.  Allen,  said,  "Sit  down,  tliou  bold  blasphemer, 
and  listen  to  the  Word  of  God"  Allen,  who  had  too 
strong  a  taste  for  that  style  of  doing  things  not  to  like 
it  under  any  circumstances,  immediately  resumed  his  seat, 
and  gave  respectful  attention  to  the  remainder  of  the  dis 
course. 

It  is  also  related  that  at  the  public  divine  service  of 
thanksgiving  for  the  capture  of  Ticonderoga,  in  which 
Allen  bore  so  heroic  and  so  famous  a  part,  many  officers 
from  Ticonderoga  attended,  and  Allen  was  present.  Mr. 
Dewey  preached,  and  made  the  prayer,  in  which  he  gave  to 
God  all  the  glory  and  praise  of  the  capture  of  the  strong 
hold.  Allen,  in  the  midst  of  the  prayer,  called  out,  "  PAR 
SON  DEWEY  !  PARSON  DEWEY  !  PARSON  DEWEY  !  "  The  third 
time  of  so  pronouncing  his  name  made  Mr.  Dewey  to  pause 
and  open  his  eyes.  Allen  then  raised  both  hands  and  said, 
"Please  mention  to  the  Lord  about  my  being  there!"  Mr. 
Dewey,  taking  no  further  notice  of  the  interruption,  pro 
ceeded  with  the  public  devotions. 

He  could  also  be  genial  and  pleasant.  One  or  two  char 
acteristic  anecdotes  are  proper  to  be  introduced  to  illustrate 


ANECDOTES    OF  MR.    DEWEV.  87 

this.  When  the  house,  now  the  residence  of  Aaron  L. 
Hubbell,  and  built  by  his  father,  was  raised,  Mr.  Dewey 
was  present :  also  Joseph  Rudd,  who  was  engaged  to  be 
married  to  Sarah  Wickwire,  then  living  in  a  house  nearly 
opposite.  Mr.  Dewey,  who  knew  of  the  intention  of  mar 
riage,  said  to  Joseph,  "  If  you  will  go  and  lead  Sarah  over 
here,  I  will  marry  you  for  nothing."  The  reply  was,  "  It's 
a  bargain."  Joseph  led  the  young  lady  to  the  place,  some 
planks  were  laid  down  upon  the  timbers  for  a  floor,  and 
they  were  married. 

It  is  related,  there  was  a  stupid  and  withal  an  eccentric 
or  half-witted  servant  man  in  Mr.  Dewey's  house,  who  had 
the  strange  habit  of  arising  in  the  night,  and  wandering 
from  room  to  room  with  a  lighted  candle  in  his  hand.  Mr. 
Dewey,  who  was  both  a  careful  and  an  economical  man, 
rebuked  the  individual,  saying  he  feared  his  house  would 
be  set  on  fire  by  such  proceedings,  and  moreover  he  did 
not  like  to  have  his  candles  consumed  so  uselessly  ;  but  on 
the  very  next  night  he  heard  the  noise  of  the  man  about 
the  house  again.  Mr.  Dewey,  full  of  indignation,  and  de 
signing  to  be  very  severe,  proceeded  to  the  room,  and  lo ! 
instead  of  one  candle,  the  fellow  had  two,  one  in  each  hand, 
illuminating  his  nocturnal  perambulations.  Mr.  Dewey, 
who  had  a  sense  for  the  ludicrous,  suddenly  forgot  his 
anger,  and  retired  from  the  scene,  saying  not  a  word. 

If  Mr.  Dewey  had  any  enemies,  it  has  not  been  handed 
down.  The  valuable  right  of  land  called  the  minister's 
right  was  settled  upon  him  by  vote,  as  follows  :  — 

"  July  18,  17G3.  —  Voted,  To  give  the  Rev.  Jeclidiah  Dewey  the 
lot  of  land  called  the  minister's,  in  said  Bennington,  exclusive  of 
the  labor  already  done  on  said  lot,  in  case  said  Mr.  Dewey  settles 
with  us  in  the  gospel  ministry."  "  November  1, 1763.  —  Voted,  To 
give  the  Rev.  Mr.  Jedidiah  Dewey  the  lot  of  land  called  the  minis 
ter's  lot,  for  his  settlement,  as  an  encouragement  for  him  in  the 
work  of  the  ministry." 


88  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

He  built  and  occupied  the  house,  the  residence  of  the  late 
Major  Aaron  Robinson. 

He  was  the  son  of  Jedidiah  and  Rebecca  (Williams) 
Dewey.  He  was  born  in  Westfield,  Mass.,  April  11,  1714, 
and  died  December  21,  1778.  He  married  Mind  well  Ha}r- 
den  Hopkins,  of  Windsor,  Conn.,  August  4,  1736.  They 
were  published  July  3  of  that  year.  Of  her  were  born  to 
him  :  —  s 


Mindwell,  Nov.  29,  1737. 
Lucy,  Nov.  16,  1739. 
Jedidiah,  June  17, 1742. 
Elijah,  Nov.  28,  1744. 


Eldad,  Aug.  12,  1747. 
Lucy,  2d,  Nov.  9,  1751. 
Margaret,  Nov.  28,  1756. 
Betsey,  Dec.  16,  1759. 


Mrs.  Mindwell  Hayden  Dewey  died  May  29, 1760,  before 
Mr.  Dewey 's  removal  to  Bennington,  in  the  forty-eighth 
year  of  her  age.  Mr.  Dewey  married  his  second  wife, 
Betty  Buck,  February  20,  1761.  Of  her  were  born  to 
him :  — 


Loan,  May  15,  1765. 
Tabitha,  Feb.  16,  1768. 
Julia,  Oct.  20,  1770. 


Claret,  Oct.  6,  1773. 
Phyana,  Dec.  13,  1775. 
Plina,  Jan.  26,  1778. 


Mrs.  Betty  (Buck)  Dewey  died  June  29,  1792,  in  the 
fifty-fourth  year  of  her  age. 

II.  THE  REV.  DAVID  AVERT  was  born  April  5,  1746, 
in  Norwich,  a  part  of  the  town  called  Norwich  Farms, 
now  a  part  of  the  town  of  Franklin,  Conn.  His  immigrant 
ancestor  was  John  A  very,  a  Scotchman  who  settled  in 
Truro,  Mass.  His  parents  were  John  and  Lydia  (Smith) 
Avery.  He  experienced  religion  under  the  preaching  of 
Whitfield.1  He  was  fitted  for  college  in  the  noted  Indian 
Missionary  School  of  the  Rev.  Eleazer  Wheelock,  D.D.,  at 

1  Notes  of  the  Rev.  P.  H.  White. 


A    WAR   SERMON.  89 

Lebanon  Crank  (now  Columbia).  Conn.  He  was  gradu 
ated  at  Yale  College  in  1769,  and  studied  theology  with 
his  former  preceptor,  then  President  of  Dartmouth  College, 
(into  which  institution  the  Indian  Missionary  School  had 
just  been  formed).1  He  was  ordained  as  missionary  to  the 
Oneida  Indians,  Aug.  29,  1771,  as  colleague  with  the  Rev. 
Saifluel  Kirkland.  This  Mr.  Kirkland  was  son  of  the 
Rev.  Daniel  Kirkland,  pastor  of  the  Newint  (now  Lisbon) 
church  in  Connecticut,  from  which  the  Newint  Separate 
church,  previously  referred  to  in  this  discourse,  separated. 
Mr.  Avery  did  not,  however,  long  remain  among  the 
Indians,  but  returned  to  New  England  and  preached  in 
various  places  until  March  25.  1773,  when  he  was  installed 
at  Gageboro'  (now  Windsor) ,  Mass. 

The  Sabbath  after  the  news  of  the  battle  of  Lexington 
reached  Gageboro',  he  preached  a  farewell  sermon,  telling 
the  people  that  God  would  take  care  of  them  ;  as  for  him 
self  he  was  going  to  join  the  army.  When  the  congre 
gation  was  dismissed  he  took  his  stand  upon  the  steps,  and 
gave  a  soul-stirring  address  on  behalf  of  his  country,  en 
treating  his  people  "  by  every  motive  of  patriotism,  and  as 
they  valued  liberty  and  abhorred  slavery,  not  to  turn  a 
deaf  ear  to  her  cry."  Twenty  of  his  parishioners  gave  a 
quick  response  to  his  appeal,  chose  him  captain,  shouldered 
their  muskets,  and  started  on  foot  for  Boston.  In  ten 
days  from  the  battle  of  Lexington  the}T  were  in  their  camp 
at  Cambridge.  They  rested  the  first  Sabbath  at  North 
ampton  and  attended  public  worship.  In  the  afternoon, 
Mr.,  now  Capt.,  Avery  preached.  His  text  was  Nehemiah 
iv.  14, —  "  And  I  looked  and  rose  up  and  said  unto  the  nobles 
and  to  the  rulers,  and  to  the  rest  of  the  people,  Be  not 
ye  afraid  of  them  ;  Remember  the  Lord,  which  is  great, 

iQne  hundred  and  fiftieth  anniversary  pamphlet  of  Columbia,  Conn.,  by  the 
Rev.  F.  D.  Avery  and  others. 
8* 


90  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  terrible,  and  fight  for  your  brethren,  your  sons  and 
your  daughters,  your  wives  and  your  houses."  On  the  fol 
lowing  Saturday,  they  arrived  at  Cambridge,  and  on  Sun 
day  Mr.  Avery  preached  to  the  whole  army  from  the  same 
text.  He  received  a  commission  as  chaplain  in  the  army, 
dated  April  18,  1776,  and  was  attached  to  Col.  Sherborne's 
regiment.  He  not  only  faithfully  performed  the  duties  of 
his  office,  but  occasionally  volunteered  to  stand  guard,  or 
even  to  go  into  a  battle.  While  holding  his  position  as 
captain,  he  instituted  daily  religious  services,  going  from 
tent  to  tent  to  read  the  word  of  God.  At  first  he  had 
leave  of  absence  from  his  parish,  the  neighboring  minis 
ters  supplying  the  pulpit  two-thirds  of  the  time  ;  but  his 
absence  being  protracted  he  was  dismissed  from  Gageboro', 
April  14,  1777.  He  was  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill ;  saw 
the  defeat  of  our  army  at  the  battle  of  Long  Island ;  was 
by  the  side  of  Washington  in  his  melancholy  retreat 
through  the  Jerseys  ;  was  present  at  the  taking  of  Bur- 
goyne,  at  the  capture  of  the  Hessians  at  Trenton,  and  in 
the  battle  of  Princeton  ;  was  in  the  army  during  that  ter 
rible  winter  at  Valley  Forge  ;  helped  build  the  fortification 
at  Ticonderoga ;  was  by  the  side  of  Washington  when  he 
signed  the  death-warrant  of  Andre,  and  witnessed  the  ex 
ecution  of  that  ill-fated  officer ;  and  was  very  active  in  the 
efforts  which  were  made  to  capture  the  traitor  Arnold.1 
He  resigned  his  chaplaincy  Feb.  1,  1780,  but  continued  to 
serve  till  March,  1780. 

His  ministry  at  Bennington  was  next  in  order.  He  pub 
licly  took  charge  of  the  church  and  congregation  here,  in 
the  presence  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Daniel  Collins,  Samuel 
Morrison,  and  Seth  Swift,  May  3,  1780.  With  the  excep 
tion  of  church  action  in  cases  of  discipline,  and  the  doings 
of  the  councils  in  his  own  case,  the  records  present  little 

l  Anniversary  pamphlet  of  Columbia,  Conn. 


91 

clue  to  the  nature  and  extent  of  his  labors  in  this  field. 
Tradition  has  preserved  still  fewer  particulars  of  his  min 
istry  here.  A  manuscript  letter,  written  by  him  after  he 
left,  to  one  of  his  Bennington  flock,  speaks  of  his  earnest 
endeavors  to  inculcate  the  doctrines  of  God's  word,  both  in 
his  sermons  and  bible-classes.  He  was,  undoubtedly, 
active  and  laborious  ;  but  what  special  fruits  there  were  of 
his  labors  here  the  judgment-day  can  only  disclose.  He 
was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  by  vote  of  the  church, 
June  17,  1783. 

He  was  settled  at  Wrentham,  Mass.,  May  25,  1786,  and, 
after  much  difficulty  there,  was  dismissed  April  21,  1794, 
"but  still  continued  to  preach  to  a  congregation  in  North 
Wrentham.  He  afterward  removed  to  Mansfield,  Conn., 
and  employed  himself  with  preaching  in  vacant  parishes  in 
Connecticut,  Massachusetts,  and  Vermont.  He  also  per 
formed  two  missionary  tours  in  the  western  part  of  New 
York  State,  and  one  in  Maine,  under  the  patronage  of  the 
Massachusetts  Domestic  Missionary  Society.  He  afterward 
gathered  a  church  and  society  in  Chaplin,  Conn.,  to  which 
he  preached  for  three  years.  In  October,  1817,  he  went  to 
Shepardstown,  Va.,  to  visit  a  daughter,  and  while  there  re 
ceived  a  call  to  settle  in  Middletown,  Va. 

He  possessed  superior  talents  and  culture.  Strange  to 
say,  in  two  or  more  instances  of  disaffection  toward  him 
in  the  parishes  where  he  was,  the  openly  alleged  ground  of 
dissatisfaction  was  unsoundness  of  doctrine,  "  leaning 
toward  Socinianism ; "  and  yet  all  the  reliable  evidence 
goes  to  show  that  he  was  a  bold  and  discriminating  preacher 
of  Orthodox  doctrines.  The  principal  charges  against  him, 
before  the  council  in  this  place,  were  with  regard  to  the 
doctrines  which  he  preached.  Three  specifications  were 
presented  in  the  complaint,  wherein,  as  was  alleged,  his 
doctrines  were  false.  The  council  decided  that  the  views 


92  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

of  doctrine  which  the  complainants  alleged  he  taught,  and 
which  the}7  regarded  as  unsound,  were  correct.1 

While  here,  Mr.  A  very  built  and  occupied  the  house  late 
the  residence  of  Judge  Isham,  He  used  to  sign  his  name 
David  A  very,  V.D.M.,  —  Verbi  Dei  Minister,  —  minister  of 
the  word  of  God.  He  is  described  as  tall,  portly,  of  com 
manding  presence  and  strongly  marked  features  ;  a  gentle 
man  of  the  old  school,  frank,  cordial,  and  dignified.  He 
usually  preached  extemporaneously  from  short  notes.  He 
wrote  with  a  very  large,  open,  and  graceful  chirography,  ex 
ceedingly  pleasant  to  read.  He  had  a  clear,  sonorous  voice, 
and  spoke  so  distinctly  that  every  soldier  in  a  brigade  could 
hear  all  that  he  said.2  His  published  discourses  were,  two 
funeral  sermons  ;  a  thanksgiving  sermon  ;  and  a  sermon  on 
holding  the  tongue. 

When  upwards  of  seventy,  he  received  the  call  to  settle 
in  Middletown,  Va.  His  installation  was  appointed,  but 
never  took  place.  It  was  prevented  by  illness,  which  proved 
fatal.  The  clergymen  who  were  pall-bearers  at  his  funeral 
were  the  same  who  were  invited  to  his  installation.  The 
text  on  which  he  last  preached,  about  two  weeks  before  his 
death,  was  Rom.  viii.  9  :  "  Now  if  any  man  have  not  the 
spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his."  In  the  incipient  stages 
of  his  last  sickness,  some  evangelical  ministers  and  elders 
of  different  denominations  assembled  by  his  request  at  the 
house  where  he  was,  and  established  a  united  monthly  con 
cert  of  prayer.  One  of  the  prayers  he  offered  himself,  sit 
ting  bolstered  up  upon  his  dying-bed.  He  died  of  typhus 
fever,  Feb.  16,  1818. 

III.  THE  REV.  JOB  SWIFT,  D.D.,  was  born  in  Sandwich, 
Mass.,  June  17,  1743.  His  parents  were  Jabez  and  Abi 
gail  Swift,  of  Kent,  Conn.,  to  which  place  his  father  re- 

1  Church  Records,  and  Mr.  Avery's  Narrative.      2  Notes  of  Mr.  P.  H.  White. 


TROUBLOUS    TIMES   IN   THE    COUNTRY.  93 

moved  when  he  was  very  young.  Pie  was  graduated  at  col 
lege  in  1765.  His  mind  became  hopefully  impressed  with  a 
sense  of  religion  while  engaged  in  the  study  of  Pres.  Ed 
wards'  writings  at  college.  He  was  assisted  in  his  theologi 
cal  studies  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bellamy.  He  was  little  more 
than  twenty-two  3'ears  of  age  when  he  became  a  preacher  of 
the  gospel.  In  the  following  year  he  was  ordained  over  a 
church  and  people  in  Richmond,  Mass.,  where  he  labored 
seven  j^ears.  After  his  dismission  from  the  church  in  Rich 
mond,  he  preached  in  different  places  for  a  twelvemonth. 
He  then  removed  to  the  Nine  Partners,  in  the  State  of  New 
York,  and  remained  there  seven  years.  Thence  he  re 
moved  to  Manchester,  in  this  State.  After  a  ministry  of 
two  years  there,  he  removed  to  Bennington,  and  was  in 
stalled  here  May  31,  1786. 

His  labors  here  were  arduous  and  prosperous  ;  but  it  was 
not  a  time  of  numerous  and  extensive  revivals.  The  con 
troversy  respecting  the  claims  of  New  York  was  not  finally 
adjusted  until  Oct.  28,  1790,  some  four  and  a  half  years  on 
ward  in  his  ministry  here.  The  State  was  not  admitted  into 
the  Union  until  March  4,  1791.  The  troubles  had  already 
commenced,  growing  out  of  the  impoverishment  of  the 
people  by  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  the  depreciation  *of 
paper  currency.  By  the  latter  cause,  Mr.  Swift,  previously 
to  his  removal  to  Bennington,  had  the  misfortune  of  losing 
the  chief  part  of  his  property.  There  were  heavy  taxes  to 
meet  the  necessities  of  the  national  and  State  governments. 
There  were  serious  disturbances  in  different  parts  of  Ver 
mont,  and  attempts  to  resist  the  collection  of  the  taxes. 
The  Shay's  rebellion  in  Massachusetts,  from  the  same 
cause,  occurred  at  this  time,  —  1786,  1787.  In  Vermont, 
the  attempts  to  overawe  the  courts  and  resist  the  officers  of 
the  government,  though  not  in  the  end  successful,  showed 
how  deep  was  the  distress  of  the  people  because  of  ,the 


94  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

poverty  occasioned  by  the  long  and  arduous  struggle  with 
many  and  diverse  enemies  and  dangers.  The  difficulties  of 
this  time  were  aggravated  fearfully  in  Vermont  by  its  anom 
alous  condition.  It  being  yet  unrecognized  as  a  State  by 
neighboring  States  and  by  the  Federal  Union,  and  its 
self-constituted  regime  being  resisted  and  denied  by  some  of 
its  own  citizens,  there  was  naturally  an  extraordinary  influx 
into  the  State  of  lawless  persons,  —  individuals  bankrupt  in 
character,  as  well  as  in  finances.  This  was  a  source  of  dis 
order  in  the  State  of  serious  extent.  The  high  part  pkiyed 
by  Bennington  in  the  civil  affairs  of  the  State  was  continued. 
Twice  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Swift,  the  Legislature  was 
convened  here,  —  in  1787,  and  in  1792.  Also  during  his  min 
istry  here  the  party  spirit  of  the  two  political  parties,  called 
then  Federal  and  Republican,  waxed  warm  and  was  often 
times  at  fever-heat.  This  excitement  and  struggle  of  polit 
ical  parties  began  as  soon  as  Vermont  was  admitted  into 
the  Union.  Intensity  of  party  contests  in  Bennington,  it 
would  seem,  could  not  have  been  surpassed  elsewhere.  In 
fluential  men,  indeed  the  preponderance  of  influence  in  the 
church  and  society,  were  committed  to  Jefferson  and  his  ad 
ministration.  Mr.  Swift  is  represented  as  a  model  minis 
ter  for  prudence.  He  was  at  all  times  careful  of  the  inter 
ests  of  Christ's  spiritual  kingdom.  He,  however,  without 
doubt,  sympathized  with  Pres.  Dwight,  of  Yale  College, 
and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Emmons,  of  Massachusetts,  and  other 
leading  New  England  divines,  who  conscientiously  believed 
Jefferson  to  be  infidel  in  religious  opinion,  and  who  gave 
to  this  consideration  great  weight  in  their  comparative  esti 
mate  of  the  political  parties  of  that  time.  It  is  represented 
that  Mr.  Swift  gave  dissatisfaction  because  his  prayers  at 
public  worship  were  so  worded  as  not  to  recognize  Jeffer 
son  as  a  Christian,  —  it  being  the  custom  to  pray  particu 
larly  for  both  the  President  and  Vice-President  of  the 


DR.    SIVIFT'S   METHOD    OF  PREACHING.  95 

United  States-.  In  1792,  six  years  after  the  installation 
of  Mr.  Swift,  the  subject  of  the  erection  of  a  new  meeting 
house  began  to  be  seriously  agitated,  and  was  carried  into 
the  town  meetings.  This  agitation  was  continued  during 
the  remainder  of  Mr.  Swift's  ministry  here. 

It  was  a  time  of  religious  desolation  throughout  the  land. 
A  sermon  to  the  ministers  —  one  of  the  printed  collection  of 
his  sermons  —  has  this  conclusion  :  — 

"  In  a  worldly  view  there  are  to  all  many  discouragements.  It 
is  a  time  in  which  error  prevails.  It  is  a  time  of  great  stupidity  and 
dark  worldly  prospects.  But,  cost  what  it  may,  let  us  preserve 
fidelity  to  our  Lord  and  Master.  You  may  be  courted,  on  the  one 
hand,  to  keep  back  the  truth,  and  threatened  on  the  other.  But, 
oh,  it  is  infinitely  too  great  a  sacrifice  to  gain  the  honors  and  riches 
of  this  world  at  the  expense  of  fidelity  to  Christ !  We  are  not,  my 
brethren,  to  expect  much  from  this  world.  This,  however  com 
fortable,  would  be  but  a  poor  reward.  If  we  are  faithful,  we  shall 
have  an  infinitely  more  important  reward.  A  crown  of  glory 
awaits  us  from  our  Lord  and  Master,  which  may  we,  by  our  faith 
ful  labors,  inherit,  for  the  Redeemer's  sake." 

Upon  the  records  of  the  church  are  preserved  the  names 
of  thirty  persons  who  united  with  the  church  during  Mr. 
Swift's  ministry  here.  Strange  it  would  be  if  not  many 
were  added  of  whom  no  record  is  preserved,  so  imperfectly 
kept  were  the  records. 

There  was  no  attempt  in  his  sermons  at  quaintness,  or 
antithesis,  or  merely  rhetorical  ornament.  He  chose  an  im 
portant  subject  of  religious  doctrine  or  practice,  went 
straight  through  with  it,  and  stopped  when  he  came  to  a 
proper  end.  He  enlarged  upon  his  theme' according  to  the 
Scripture,  and  that  his  audience  might  obtain  as  profitable 
an  understanding  of  it  as  possible,  and  applied  the  same  in 
a  short,  pertinent  improvement.  He  preached  on  civil 
government  to  the  Legislature  convened  at  Manchester  ;  on 
the  duties  of  ministers  to  the  ministerial  association.  He 


96  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

preached  on  the  duties  of  children,  and  duties  of  parents. 
A  small  volume  of  his  sermons,  and  plans  of  sermons,  was 
published  after  his  decease,  together  with  a  biographical 
sketch,  and  the  substance  of  a  discourse  to  his  memory  by 
the  Rev.  Lemuel  Haynes. 

He  reared  a  large  family  on  slender  means.  He  fitted 
his  sons  himself  for  college.  At  the  same  time,  he  was 
noted  for  his  hospitality.  Mr.  Haynes,  in  his  memorial 
discourse,  says,  "  Mr.  Swift's  benevolence  and  hospitality 
often  astonished  those  who  came  under  his  roof."  Mr. 
Ha}7nes  had  peculiar  occasion  to  remember  these  traits. 
Mr.  Haynes,  it  is  well  known,  though  highly  gifted,  and 
the  pastor  of  three  most  respectable  white  congregations 
successively,  was  "  the  colored  preacher."  But  he  was 
never,  b}^  the  least  act  of  Mr.  Swift,  made  to  feel  the  differ 
ence.  And  when,  on  the  occasion  of  many  ministers  being 
together  over  night,  and  so  needing  to  be  assigned  two  to 
one  bed,  Mr.  Swift  would  anticipate  all  difficulty  of  allotting 
his  brother  of  the  darker  skin  by  delicately  saying,  "  Broth 
er  Haynes  and  I  will  go  together."  He  ever  possessed  a 
deep  interest  in  3'oung  men  who  were  seeking  an  education, 
and  in  pious  young  men  who  had  the  ministry  in  view,  and 
assisted  many.  Mrs.  Hendrick,  wife  of  Deacon  Hendrick, 
of  the  Shaftsbury  Baptist  Church,  residing  where  Perez 
Harwood,  senior,  deceased,  resided,  or  near  there,  had  a 
Baptist  meeting  at  her  house  in  a  time  of  revival,  and  Mr. 
Swift  came  into  the  meeting.  She  said,  "  I  am  apprehen 
sive,  Mr.  Swift,  the  young  folks  will  be  afraid  of  you  ;  they 
are  bashful."  —  *'I  think  not,"  said  he.  He  soon  obtained 
their  confidence,  and  they  related  their  experiences  very 
freely.  They  were  young  converts.  At  the  close  of  the 
meeting,  Mrs.  Hendrick  spoke  to  Mr.  Swift  of  the  success 
of  the  occasion.  "  One  of  the  most  interesting  meetings," 
she  said,  "I  have  ever  attended."  Mr.  Swift  replied,  "I 


DECEASE   OF  DR.    SWIFT.  97 

do  not  know  that  I  have  more  than  the  one  talent ;  but  I 
can  feed  Christ's  lambs." 

He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College.  IJe  received  the 
degree  of  Doctor  in  Divinity  from  Williams  College.  He 
was  successively  member  of  the  corporations  of  Dartmouth, 
Williams,  and  Middlebury  Colleges.  He  was  sent  for  from 
far  and  near  to  eclesiastical  councils.  At  his  death  he  was 
called  the  Apostle  of  Vermont.1 

He  loved  to  do  missionary  work,  and  went  sometimes  to 
a  great  distance  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  destitute.  His 
death  occurred  suddenly,  while  thus  temporarily  engaged 
in  missionary  labor.  It  took  place  at  Enosburgh,  in  this 
State,  Oct.  20,  1804.  He  had  removed  from  Bennington  to 
Addison,  and  his  labors  there  were  being  much  blessed. 
The  town  had  been  distracted  with  serious  divisions  ;  but 
after  he  commenced  his  labors  there  the  moral  and  religious 
character  of  the  people  was  soon  entirety  changed.  A 
church  was  organized,  and  rendered  respectable  by  the 
number  of  its  members.  "It  is  not  eas}V  says  the  biog 
rapher,  "  to  conceive  the  grief  which  the  people  there  felt 
on  learning  the  sorrowful  news  of  his  death."  He  died  ^in 
the  triumphs  of  faith.  When  ashed  if  he  was  willing  to  die, 
he  replied,  "  DEATH  HAS  NO  TERRORS." 

He  resided  in  the  capacious  house  now  first  south  of  the 
late  residence  of  Gay  R.  Sanford,  deceased  ;  the  same  house 
or  near  to  which  in  the  earliest  times  here  was  the  residence 
of  John  Fassett,  clerk  of  the  proprietors'  meeting,  deacon 
of  the  church,  and  innkeeper  in  that  place. 

He  was  a  very  large  man.  A  lady,2  with  whom  I  was 
conversing  on  the  subject,  related  to  me  that  she  was  a 
child  when  he  was  pastor  of  this  church,  but  that  she  recol- 

1  Rev.  Calvin  Durfee.    (See  "  Proceedings  at  the  Centennial  of  the  Berkshire 
Congregational  Association.") 

2  Mrs.  Raymond. 

9 


98 


MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 


lects  him  well.  She  recollects  going  to  another  town  to 
visit  there  ;  and,  seeing  a  small  man  in  the  pulpit,  she  in 
quired  if  he  was  a  minister,  with  some  surprise.  She  had 
always  seen  Dr.  Swift  in  the  pulpit,  and  supposed  that 
none  but  very  large  men  were  suitable  to  be  ministers. 

He  was  married  Nov.  6,  1769,  to  Mary  Ann  Sedgwick 
of  Cornwall,  Conn.,  sister  of  Hon.  Theodore  Sedgwick. 
She  died  in  February,  1826.  Their  children  were  :  — 

Sarah  Gold,  Born,  Nov.  13,  1770.     Died,  Oct.  23, 1853. 

Clarinda,  "  July  18,  1772. 

Serenus,  "  May  27,  1774. 

Noadiah,  "  Feb.  24,  1776. 

Erastus,  "  Feb.  9,  1778. 

Benjamin,  "  April  9,  1780. 

Samuel,  "  Aug.  2,  1782. 

Mary  Ann,  "  July  22,  1784. 

Samanthe,  "  May  12,  1786. 

Persis,  "  March  28,  1788. 

Laura,  "  March  6,  1790. 

Heman,  "  Sept.  30,  1791. 

Job  Sedgwick,       "  April  11,  1794. 

Mary  Ann,  "  Aug.  18,  1796. 

Of  these  children,  Heman  spent  several  months  at  An- 
dover  Theological  Seminary,  in  the  study  of  divinity,  but 
left  for  the  profession  of  medicine.  The  only  son  who 
became  a  preacher  was  Job  Sedgwick,  who,  after  gradua 
tion  at  Andover,  preached  several  months  in  Maine  and 
Vermont ;  but,  his  health  failing,  he  went  to  the  South,  was 
employed  some  time  in  teaching  in  Georgia,  and  afterward 
turned  his  attention  to  other  pursuits.  Two  of  the  grand 
sons  became  ministers,  —  Alfred  Brown  Swift,  son  of  Hon. 
Benjamin  Swift,  and  Henry  Martyn,  son  of  Dr.  Heman  Swift. 

His  second  son,  Noadiah  Swift,  M.D.,  became  a  deacon 
in  this  church. 


"  April  12, 1851. 
"  April  3,  1865. 
"  March  21, 1860. 
"  April  14,  1848. 
"  Nov.  11,  1841. 

"  March,  1790. 

"  June  20,  1805. 

"  Sept.  5,  1815. 

"  April,  1790. 

"  Jan.  30,  1856. 

"  June,  1859. 


MR.  MARSH'S  MINISTERIAL  LABORS.  99 

The  following  is  the  testimony  of  President  Dwight  to 
Dr.  Swift's  worth  :  — 

"  Dr.  Swift  was  one  of  the  best  and  most  useful  men  whom  we 
ever  knew.  Good  men  loved  him.  and  delighted  in  his  society, 
and  the  worst  men  acknowledged  his  worth.  To  the  churches 
and  ministers  of  Vermont  he,  was  a  patriarch.  He  possessed  an 
understanding  naturally  vigorous,  respectable  learning,  sound 
theological  opinions,  eminent  prudence,  and  distinguished  zeal, 
combined  in  the  happiest  manner  with  moderation,  benevolence, 
and  piety ;  and  wherever  he  was  known  he  is  remembered  with 
the  highest  veneration."  1 

IV.  THE  REV.  DANIEL  MARSH  was  born  in  New  Mil- 
ford,  Conn.,  May  10,  1762.  The  first  public  school  he 
attended  was  at  Brunswick,  New  Jerse}',  in  the  time  of 
the  Revolutionary  War.  He  served  as  militia  man  at  vari 
ous  times,  travelled  on  foot,  to  and  fro,  between  Connecti 
cut  and  New  Jersey.  He  cut  wood  night  and  morning  to 
pay  for  his  board,  and  by  his  own  exertions  obtained  his 
education.  He  studied  divinity  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bradford, 
near  Boston.  He  received  an  honorary  degree  of  M.A.,  from 
Williams  College,  in  1795. 

He  was  ordained  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  June  30,  1790  ; 
was  pastor  of  the  church  there  several  years  ;  thence  he  re 
moved  to  Catskill,  N.  Y. ;  next  to  Salisbury  on  the  Royal 
Grant;  thence  to  Ballston  and  Saratoga;  thence  to  Ben- 
nington. 

He  succeeded  the  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.D.  He  preached 
in  this  town  as  early  as  1805,  and  was  the  first  settled  min 
ister  after  the  great  revival  in  1802-3.  According  to  rec 
ords  of  the  Congregational  society  —  kept  in  the  town 
records  —  of  March  27,  1805,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Congre 
gational  society :  — 

l  "  Dwight's  Travels,"  vol.  n.,  p.  443. 


100  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

11  Voted,  That  the  society  recommend  the  Committee  of  Supply 
to  hire  Mr.  Marsh  for  the  year  ensuing." 

The  building  of  the  new  meeting-house  was  approaching 
to  completion.  By  vote  of  the  society,  Mr.  Marsh  preached 
its  dedication  sermon.  December  4,  1805,  was  first  ap 
pointed  for  the  dedication  ;  afterward  the  time  was  changed, 
and  the  dedication  took  place  on  New  Year's  Day,  1806. 
The  dedication  sermon  was  published  with  the  hymns  sung 
on  the  occasion.  A  sermon  by  Mr.  Marsh,  subsequently 
preached  before  the  Legislature,  and  a  sermon  on  the  six 
teenth  of  August,  1809,  were  published. 

"  March  19,  1806,  on  application  of  seven  freeholders,  declaring 
themselves  to  be  of  the  Congregational  order,  and  also  by  particu 
lar  request  of  the  Congregational  Church,  all  inhabitants  of  the 
town  of  Bennington,  and  especially  of  the  Congregational  society, 
are  warned  to  meet  at  the  court-house,  to  see  if  they  will  unite  in 
calling  the  Rev.  Daniel  Marsh  to  settle  over  said  church  and  society ; 
to  see  if  they  will  vote  a  sum  of  money  for  salary  from  year  to 
year,  or  for  the  year  ensuing ;  and  to  choose  a  committee,  or  in  some 
other  way  to  agree  with  him  what  he  shall  have."  "  March  31,  1806. 
—  Met  according  to  warning ;  voted  affirmatively ;  voted  to  give  four 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  yearly,  and  so  long  as  he  shall  continue 
with  us  in  the  gospel  ministry."  "  May  12, 1806.  —  Adjourned  meet 
ing.  Voted,  It  belongs  to  the  church  to  call  the  installing  council. 
Voted,  It  is  our  wish  the  church  would  unite  with  the  Rev.  Daniel 
Marsh  in  calling  a  council." 

Mr.  Marsh  was  accordingly  installed,  and  remained  pas 
tor  of  this  church  until  regularly  dismissed  by  an  ecclesi 
astical  council,  April  25,  1820. 

When  his  labors  closed  in  Bennington,  he  went  out,  a 
short  season,  as  missionary  into  Central  New  York,  aided 
by  a  missionary  society  in  Massachusetts  ;  then  he  preached 
in  Rupert  in  this  State  ;  thence  to  a  feeble  church  in  James- 
ville,  Onondaga  Co.,  N.  Y.  There  he  enjoyed  a  powerful 


MR.  MARSH'S  SUCCESS  IN  BENNINGTON.  101 

and  extensive  revival,  in  which  his  own  soul  was  much  en 
larged,  and  the  church  greatly  strengthened.  This  was  the 
crowning  work  of  his  ministry  ;  for,  after  a  few  years  of  suc 
cessful  labor  there,  he  suffered  from  inflammation  of  his  eyes, 
by  which  he  so  far  lost  his  sight  that  he  was  unable  to  read 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  Although  he  gave  up  his  charge, 
he  continued  to  preach  occasionally  until  near  the  time  of 
his  death. 

Under  his  ministry,  seventy-seven  are  known  to  have 
been  received  into  the  church  here.  Among  them,  Hiram 
Bingham,  the  missionary,  Luther  Bingham,  Charles  Cush- 
man,  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey  (at  seventy-four  years  of  age), 
Jotham  French  (afterward  deacon),  Henry  Harwood, 
Hiram  Harwood,  second,  Seth  Hathaway,  Stephen  Hins- 
dill  (afterward  deacon),  James  Nichols,  James  B.  Nichols, 
and  others.  Among  the  additions  to  the  church,  under  his 
ministry  here,  were  several  who  were  hopefully  converted 
while  he  resided  as  a  near  neighbor  to  them.  The  Bing- 
hams,  the  Nicholses,  Mr.  French,  were  near  neighbors  to 
him  when  he  resided  on  the  Charles  Hicks  farm.  Also 
Eunice  (Mrs.  Martin)  and  Lydia  Bingham,  Mrs.  Uriah 
Edgerton,  a  neighbor,  Mrs.  Hinsdill,  mother  of  Mrs.  Geo. 
W.  Robinson.  Also  four  female  members  of  the  Nichols 
family.  He  was  very  sociable.  When  he  moved  into  the 
Hunt  place,  Capt.  Burt  lived  near  him.  Capt.  B.  was  not 
favorable  to  ministers,  and  said  he  should  u  neither  borrow 
nor  lend."  Mr.  Marsh  heard  of  it,  went  to  Capt.  Burt's, 
and  asked  to  borrow  a*  saddle.  Capt.  B.  lent  him  the  sad 
dle,  and,  in  due  time,  became  a  great  friend  of  Mr.  Marsh. 
He  was  a  man  of  peace,  and  successful  in  settling  difficulties 
among  brethren.  On  one  occasion,  being  called,  as  a  mem 
ber  of  a  council,  to  settle  a  difficulty  in  a  neighboring 
church,  when  the  council  had  assembled,  and  while  they 
were  organizing  and  preparing  for  business,  he  brought 
9* 


102  MEMORIALS   OF  A    CENTURT. 

the  contending  parties  together,  and  reconciled  them  before 
the  council  was  ready  to  hear  the  case.  His  salary  was 
small.  He  was  obliged  to  work  a  farm,  which  he  was  en 
abled  to  purchase  with  property  of  his  wife.  While  the 
horses  were  at  work  on  the  farm,  he  was  accustomed  to  go 
from  one  side  of  the  town  to  the  other  on  foot,  attending 
meetings,  officiating  at  funerals,  and  visiting  the  sick.  He 
subsequent^  bought  a  farm  in  Jamesville,  in  part  with  pro 
ceeds  of  the  sale  of  his  Bennington  farm.  He  was  gifted  in 
prayer.  On  one  sixteenth  of  August,  at  the  celebration, 
he  was  designated  to  make  the  pra}'er.  He  introduced  so 
much  pertinent  matter  into  the  prayer,  the  orator  of  the 
day  complained  that  there  was  nothing  left  for  the  oration. 

In  his  last  sickness  he  enjo}Ted  much  of  the  presence  of 
his  Saviour,  and  officiated  in  pikers  in  his  son's  family  as 
long  as  his  voice  was  audible.  He  died  at  Jamesville,  N. 
Y.,  Dec.  13,  1843.  A  veteran  of  eighty-two  years,  he  met 
death  in  peace,  rejoicing  in  the  hope  of  a  glorious  immor 
tality. 

In  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  he  married  Miss  Anna 
Jagger,  daughter  of  Deacon  Stephen  Jagger,  of  Long  Isl 
and.  His  wife  was  a  remarkable  woman.  While  residing 
in  the  north  part  of  this  town,  hearing  of  Robert  Raikes' 
Sabbath  school,  she  organized  one  in  her  own  house  for  the 
children  in  her  vicinity.  This,  at  the  time,  she  supposed 
to  be  the  first  Sabbath  school  in  the  United  State's.1  She 


1  A  Sabbath  school  was  organized  in  Middlebury,  in  this  State,  in  1813,  and  in 
Greensboro'  in  1814.  ("  Vermont  Chronicle,"  June  4  and  July  30,  1864.)  And  in 
Connecticut,  substantially,  though  not  exactly,  in  the  modern  form,  as  early  as 
17C4.  (See  Cont.  Ecc.  Hist.  Conn.,  pp.  191-2.)  It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  in 
troduce  here  the  following  notice  of  a  tract  enterprise,  contained  in  the  "  Green 
Mountain  Farmer"  of  August,  1811 :  "  Excited  by  the  example,  and  encouraged 
by  the  success  of  religious  tract  societies  in  different  parts  of  the  United  States, 
and  elsewhere  iu  the  world,  a  respectable  number  of  persons  in  Bennington  have 
subscribed  and  contributed  to  procure  excellent  cheap  religious  tracts  for  chari 
table  distribution,"  etc.,  etc. 


EXTRACTS  FROM  A    DIARY.  103 

also  drew  up  a  series  of  Bible  questions,  which  she  had 
printed  at  the  printing-office  of  Anthony  Haswell.  She 
also  organized  a  cent  society  for  contributions  to  the  mis 
sionary  cause,  which  continued  a  long  time  afterward  in 
this  parish. 

The}7  had  nine  children,  —  seven  sons  and  two  daughters. 
One  of  his  sons,  Edwards  Marsh,  became  a  minister  of  the 
gospel.  One  of  his  daughters  became  the  wife  of  the  Rev. 
Cyrus  Hudson. 

Two  or  three  short  extracts  respecting  Mr.  Marsh,  from 
Benjamin  Harwood's  diary,  will  interest  those  who  remem 
ber  either  of  these  persons.  Here  is  one  to  show  that  Mr. 
Marsh  found  some  not  smooth  sailing  early  in  his  ministry 
here :  — 

"  May  30,  1808. —This  afternoon  I  attended  a  meeting  of  the 
Congregational  society.  The  question  to  be  tried  was,  Whether 
we  should  support  our  present  minister  or  not?  It  was  carried  in 
the  affirmative.  There  was  some  debate  on  the  subject,  which 
was  conducted  with  candor  and  coolness,  except  in  some  instances 
where  party  feelings  could  not  be  suppressed.  Judge  Robinson  in 
timated  that,  should  Mr.  Marsh  be  turned  away  through  the  influ 
ence  of  his  enemies,  he  was  of  the  opinion  that  another  minister 
could  not  be  had  here.  He  meant  to  be  honest  about  it,  and  said 
he  should  vote  against  settling  any  other  man.  He  appears  to  be 
a  pretty  warm  advocate  for  Mr.  Marsh.  I  was  ou  the  affirmative." 

Very  Anti-universal.  —  "  April  22,1810.  —  Had  the  pleasure  of 
being  where  I  might  have  heard  Mr.  Marsh  had  sleep  not  blocked 
up  my  hearing  channels.  By  this  I  do  not  mean  I  heard  none  at 
all.  I  understood  of  his  preaching  enough  to  know  that  it  was 
very  anti-universal." 

Solemn  and  Impressive.  —  (Diary  of  Hiram  Harwood.)  —  "May 
28,1813.  —  Mr.  Marsh  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  Governor 
Robinson  in  a  solemn  and  impressive  style." 

March  Meetings  opened  with  Prayer.  —  "  March  29,  1809.  —  A  full 
meeting  convened  at  the  court-house,  and,  after  an  excellent 
prayer  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh,  proceeded  to  business." 


104  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

V.  THE  KEY.  ABSALOM  PETERS,  D.D.,  was  born  in 
Grafton  County,  New  Hampshire,  Sept.  19,  1793.  His 
father  was  Gen.  Absalom  Peters,  a  graduate  of  Dartmouth 
College,  and  descendant  of  a  brother  of  Hugh  Peters,  fa 
mous  as  an  adherent  of  Cromwell,  and  who  was  beheaded 
on  the  restoration  of  Charles  IT.,  —  a  martyr  to  the  cause  of 
civil  and  religious  liberty.  The  mother  of  Dr.  Peters  is 
claimed  to  be  a  lineal  descendant  of  John  Rogers,  the 
Smithfield  martyr  of  "  catechism  "  celebrity. 

Dr.  Peters  was  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College,  in  1816  ; 
studied  Theology  at  Princeton  ;  was  ordained  and  installed 
pastor,  at  Bennington,  July  5,  1820,  and  dismissed  Dec. 
14,  1825,  to  accept  the  secretaryship  of  the  United  Do 
mestic  Missionary  Society,  and  as  such  to  aid  in  the  forma 
tion  of  the  American  Home  Missionary  Society,  of  which 
he  was  the  first  secretary,  continuing  such  until  1837,  —  in 
these  years  also  commencing  and  editing  the  "JHome  Mis 
sionary  and  Pastor's  Journal ; "  was  editor  of  the  "American 
Biblical  Repository  "  for  four  and  a  half  years,  commencing 
January  1,  1838  ;  on  November  20,  1844,  was  installed 
pastor  of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Williamstown, 
Massachusetts,  and  dismissed,  at  his  own  request,  Septem 
ber  4,  1857.  Beside  these  more  protracted  fields  of  labor, 
Dr.  Peters'  peculiar  talent  for  originating  and  helping  for 
ward  new  instrumentalities  in  the  cause  of  Christ  has  found 
scope  in  various  engagements  of  lesser  duration.  Among 
these  may  be  mentioned,  his  connection  with  the  Union 
Theological  Seminary,  as  one  of  its  original  projectors,  and 
agent  to  collect  funds  for  it,  and  in  which  he  received  ap 
pointment  to  the  chair  of  Homiletics  and  Pastoral  Theolo 
gy  ;  also  his  connection  with  the  "  American  Eclectic,"  as 
originator  and  editor  for  a  brief  time,  and  other  temporary 
labors. 

He  was  the  immediate  predecessor,  in  Bennington,  of 


MR.  PETERS'  LABORS  IN  BENNINGTON.  105 

the  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark.  Under  his  ministry  here,  Arti 
cles  of  Faith  and  a  Covenant  were  adopted  by  the  church, 
—  it  having  been  before  with  no  other  instrument  of  this 
sort  excepting  the  Cambridge  Platform.  The  church  rec 
ords,  too,  were  kept  with  remarkable  neatness  and  care  by 
Major  Aaron  Robinson,  the  clerk.  Mr.  Peters  was  warmly 
seconded,  in  his  efforts  to  elevate  the  tone  of  morals  and  re 
ligion  in  the  communit}7",  by  intelligent  and  spiritually  minded 
Christians.  This  was  his  youthful  pastorate.  With  a  grace 
ful  st\  le  in  sermonizing,  and  great  ardor  in  his  work,  he  at 
tracted  large  audiences,  and  was  blessed  writh  numerous  addi 
tions  to  the  church.  He  will  pardon  the  insertion  here  of  an 
anecdote  related  by  himself  to  the  writer.  In  the  first 
days  of  his  ministry  here,  sitting  one  day  in  his  study,  he 
was  surprised  by  a  loud  and  repeated  knock  at  his  study 
door,  and,  upon  being  bidden  to  enter,  in  rushed  an  entire 
stranger,  of  eccentric  manner,  and  from  the  north  part  of 
the  State,  who  took  him  solemnly  by  the  hand,  and  proceed 
ed  to  say,  sadly,  "  Brother  Peters,  I  have  come  to  warn 
you,  to  pronounce  a  woe  upon  you  — '  Woe  unto  you,  ivhen 
all  men  shall  speak  well  of  you  I ' ' 

Not  a  very  long  time  afterward  the  same  individual  paid 
him  another  visit  in  his  study,  but  with  a  cheerfulness 
quite  in  contrast  with  his  former  aspect.  He  now  grasped 
Mr.  Peters  warmly  with  both  hands,  and  said,  "  This 
time,  Brother  Peters,  I  have  come  to  congratulate  you ; 
you  are  all  right  now."  The  truth  was,  the  wrath  of  some 
individuals  in  the  community  had  been  roused  recently 
against  Mr.  Peters  ;  the  particular  occasion  of  which  was 
a  sermon  preached1  September  29,  1822,  aimed  directly 
against  public  wickedness,  which  the  week  previously  had 

1  The  text  was,  "  When  the  enemy  shall  come  in  like  a  flood,  the  Spirit  of 
the  Lord  shall  lift  up  a  standard  against  him."  — Is.  xlix.  19.  The  sermon  was 
published  by  unanimous  request  of  the  church. 


106  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

assumed  an  alarming  form  in  a  devotion  of  a  portion  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  of  not  a  few  congregated  here  from 
abroad,  for  nearly  the  entire  week,  to  horse-racing  and  the 
performances  of  a  travelling  theatrical  company.  The 
zeal  and  efforts  of  Mr.  Peters  in  this  connection  had  no 
small  share  in  the  enactment  of  severe  statutes  against  such 
evils,  which,  particularly  with  regard  to  travelling  circuses, 
have  for  a  long  time  not  been  inoperative  in  this  State,  until 
by  an  enactment,  approved  November  9,  1865,  the  bars,  as 
to  circuses,  are  again  let  down. 

Dr.  Peters  was  married,  Oct.  25,  1819,  to  Miss  Har 
riet  Hinkly  Hatch,  daughter  of  Major  Reuben  Hatch,  of 
Norwich,  in  this  State.  Of  seven  children,  the  issue  of 
this  marriage,  three  were  born  in  Bennington,  —  George 
Absalom  Peters,  M.D ;  Harriet  Adeline,  wife  of  the 
Rev.  William  Clift ;  and  Horace  Hatch,  deceased  in  in 
fancy.1 

VI.  THE  REV.  DANIEL  A.  CLARK  was  born  in  Rah  way, 
N.  J.,  March  1,  1799.  His  father  was  David  Clark,  a  rela 
tive  of  Abraham  Clark,  whose  name  appears  among  the 
signers  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence.  He  was  hope 
fully  converted  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  and  one  year  afterward 
united  with  the  church.  He  was  graduated  at  Princeton 
College  in  1808  ;  pursued  studies  preparatory  to  the  sacred 
ministry  at  the  Theological  Seminary  in  Andover ;  and 
was  ordained  and  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational 
Union  church  of  Braintree  and  Weymouth,  Jan.  1,  1812. 
He  remained  in  that  charge  until  the  fall  of  1815.  January, 
1816,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church 
in  Sou thbury,  Conn.,  which  field  he  left  to  be  installed  as 
pastor  of  West  Parish,  Amherst,  Mass.,  Jan.  26,  1820. 

1  See  "A  Birthday  Memorial  of  Seventy  Years,  with  Memories  and  Reflec 
tions  for  the  Aged  and  the  Young;  by  Absalom  Peters,  D.D."    New  York,  1866. 


POWER   IN   THE   PULPIT.  107 

From  Amherst  he  came  to  Bennington,  and  was  here  in 
stalled  June  14,  1826.  His  next  and  last  pastorate  was 
in  Adams,  Jefferson  County,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  installed 
over  the  Presbyterian  church  July  17,  1832.  He  also  la 
bored  for  intervals  before  his  ordination,  and  in  repeated 
instances  between  his  pastorates,  in  other  places.  He  de 
ceased  March  3,  1840.  "Without  a  struggle  or  a  groan  he 
calmly  fell  asleep  in  Jesus." 

Mr.  Clark's  sermons  and  other  productions  have  been 
repeatedly  issued  from  the  press.  The  last  in  two  octavo 
volumes,  with  a  biography.1 

When  thoroughly  roused,  which  he  often  was,  Mr.  Clark 
delivered  his  thoughts  from  the  pulpit  with  herculean  force, 
nor  did  he  disdain  to  flash  the  truth  from  a  polished  blade, 
or  to  cut  a  way  for  it  to  the  conscience  with  a  whetted  edge. 
Sometimes  his  sentences  disclosed  a  beauty  rarely  sur 
passed.  A  layman,2  resident  in  Bennington  during  Mr. 
Clark's  ministry  here,  states  that  of  the  many  sermons  of 
this  divine  which  he  heard,  the  one  most  impressed  upon 
his  own  memory  was  marked  by  great  beauty  of  style. 
The  subject  of  this  discourse  was  "  The  Beauty  of  Holi 
ness."  The  discourse  does  not  appear  in  the  printed  works. 
Of  his  discourse,  "  The  Church  Safe,"  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sprague 
says,3  "It  is  enough  to  immortalize  the  mind  that  could 
produce  it." 

Children  listened  with  delight  to  his  preaching,  because 
of  its  simplicity  and  clearness.  It  is  related 4  of  a  bright 
little  girl,  that,  returning  home  from  church  one  Sabbath 
day,  she  was  inquired  of  who  preached,  and  replied,  with 

1  "  The  Complete  Works  of  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark,"  edited  by  his  son,  James 
Henry  Clark,  M.D.,  with  a  Biographical  Sketch,  and  an  Estimate  of  his  Powers 
as  a  Preacher,  in  two  volumes.    Ives  &  Phinney,  New  York. 

2  Seth  B.  Hunt. 

3  Letter  to  J.  Henry  Clark,  M.D.,  in  Clark's  Works,  etc. 
<  By  Mrs.  Darius  Clark. 


108  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

marked  signs  of  pleasure,  "Nobody  preached;  Mr.  Clark 
talked  to  us."  Mr.  Clark  had  preached  a  sermon  to  chil 
dren,  and  they,  in  their  interest  in  what  he  said,  forgot  that 
it  was  a  sermon. 

The  well-aimed  labors  of1  his  predecessor,  Mr.  Peters,  it 
is  evident,  had  not  wholty  eradicated  public  sin  from  the 
community.  A  travelling  theatre  advertised  to  visit  Ben- 
nington  ;  and  the  young  men,  some  of  whom  knew  better, 
had  become  committed  to  sustain  the  affair,  and  were  quite 
determined  to  brave  the  opposition  to  it  among  good  men. 
One  of  them,  since  a  judge  upon  the  bench  of  the  Supreme 
Court  in  this  State,  has  described  the  appearance  of  Mr. 
Clark  when  he  entered  upon  the  introductory  exercises  of 
the  pulpit  next  Sabbath  morning.  There  was  a  peculiar 
nervous  excitement,  and  twitching  of  his  countenance,  and 
animation  of  his  whole  frame,  which  led  his  audience  to 
anticipate  what  was  coming.  He  preached  two  discourses 
that  day,  which  made  those  respectable  young  men  who 
had  pledged  their  patronage  to  the  travelling  theatre  wish 
they  had  taken  a  sober  second  thought  before  doing  so. 

Among  outlines  of  discourses  in  his  published  works  is 
one  on  the  sinner's  desperate  depravit}7.  The  text  is  Jere 
miah  iii.  5  :  "Thou  hast  spoken  and  done  evil  things,  as  tlwu 
couldst."  The  discourse  is  thus  introduced  :  "  This  passage 
evidently  teaches  the  doctrine  that  men  are  as  depraved  as 
they  can  be  in  present  circumstances"  The  large  compara 
tive  number  of  additions  to  the  church  during  his  brief  min 
istry  here  —  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  in  four  3Tears  and 
four  months  —  and,  it  may  be  added,  the  powerful  revival 
which  occurred  here  the  next  year  after  his  dismission, 
must  have  been  due,  in  no  small  degree,  to  the  divine  bless 
ing  upon  his  faithful  preaching  of  the  doctrine  of  man's 
sinfulness,  and  dependence  upon  the  sovereign  mercy  of 
God.  Revivals  attended  and  followed  his  labors  elsewhere. 


MR.  CLARK'S  TEMPERANCE  LABORS.  109 

i> 

It  was  a  time  of  powerful  revivals  in  the  country  at 
large.  It  was  a  blessed  time,  indeed,  in  which  to  be  an 
eminently  talented  and  qualified  preacher  of  the  gospel, 
and  in  the  prime  of  one's  great  physical  and  intellectual 
strength. 

Mr.  Clark  aimed  deadly  blows  at  intemperance,  Sabbath- 
breaking,  dancing,  card-playing",  covetousness.  If  there 
was  an  infidel-club  in  the  town,  he  discovered  it,  and 
poured  his  hottest  fire  into  it.  Like  Samson,  he  was  willing 
to  pull  down  the  temple  of  Dagon  upon  himself  as  well  as 
the  Philistines,  if,  otherwise,  he  could  not  destroy  them. 
The  temperance  reformation  had  just  commenced  in  the 
country  at  the  time  Mr.  Clark  was  settled  here,  and  he 
threw  himself,  with  his  accustomed  ardor,  into  that  move 
ment.  He  began  here  by  proposing  to  individuals  to  sign 
a  pledge  that  they  would,  at  the  end  of  the  }rear,  report 
faithfully  what  amount  of  distilled  liquor  had  been  used  in 
the  family  during  the  year.  Many  signers  were  obtained. 
Among  the  number,  eight  reported  at  the  }rear's  end  they 
had  used  none ;  others  reported  the  quantit}^  they  had 
used.  We  are  amused  at  the  report  of  one,  whose  figures 
went  as  high  as  ten  gallons  ;  he  said  it  was  for  bathing 
purposes.  At  the  time  of  the  second  annual  report  of 
this  association  it  wras  resolved  to  practise  total  abstinence 
from  distilled  spirit.  That  was  some  3'ears  before  the  tem 
perance  reformation  advanced  to  the  point  of  abstinence 
from  all  intoxicating  drinks.  There  were  some  earnest 
ones,  who,  at  that  meeting,  anticipated  the  subsequent 
movement,  and  took  a  position  in  favor  of  including  wine, 
beer,  and  cider,  in  the  pledge.  Mr.  Clark  thought  it  not 
then  expedient,  and  reasoned  as  follows:  "If  wolves  and 
bears  were  coming  down  in  fury  from  your  mountain  sides 
to  devour  your  flocks,  would  you  stop  to  hunt  out  the  rats 
and  mice  ?  " 

10 


110  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Many  were  the  large  orchards  in  that  day  ;  and  cider- 
mills,  from  early  autumn  until  late  in  the  winter,  were 
busy  night  and  day.  And  distilleries  were  not  deficient, 
to  which  the  hogsheads  and  barrels  from  the  cider-press 
were  constantly  borne.  These  orchards  were  rhany  of 
them  cut  down,  under  the  powerful  impulse  of  the  temper 
ance  reformation.  Mr.  Clark  also  sought  the  promotion  of 
intellectual  improvement  in  schools,  tyceums,  and  espe 
cially  in  the  study  of  the  word  of  God.  The  whole  con 
gregation  was,  at  that  time,  engaged  in  Bible-class  and 
Sabbath-school  study  during  the  intermission.  His  own 
success  in  preaching,  and  the  great  and  multiplied  revivals 
of  those  times,  times  in  which  Bible  societies,  Missionary 
societies,  Temperance  societies,  and  Sabbath  schools  were 
springing  up  as  if  by  magic,  on  every  hand,  fired  his  ex 
pectations  of  the  speedy  advent  of  the  millennium,  and 
stimulated  his  ardor  to  the  highest  pitch.  Every  man  here 
almost  was  a  representative  man.  All  were  accustomed  to 
move  on  in  their  purposes  with  more  than  ordinary  energy 
and  persistency  of  will.  There  were,  nevertheless,  leading 
spirits. 

This  place  was,  at  that  time,  the  scene  of  a  remarkable 
competition  between  two  rival  seminaries  of  learning.  The 
impulse  of  this' competition  drew  crowds  here  from  abroad 
to  both  schools  ;  among  them  many  talented  youth.  Ben- 
nington  had  once  more  become  famous  far  and  wide  ;  and 
the  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark,  was,  for  the  time,  among  other 
noted  ones,  the  most  noted  personage. 

After  all  that  has  been  said  of  Mr.  Clark,  in  this  short 
notice,  it  will  not  give  surprise  if  it  is  added  that  he 
aroused  much  opposition  against  himself.  His  preaching 
and  labors  were  the  occasion  of  not  a  few  in  the  commu 
nity  being  "set  at  variance"  (see  Matt.  x.  34,  35),  'not 
only  from  him  but  also  from  one  another. 


f  or  THF. 

f   UNIVERSITY   ) 
V 

x^44Ji£2^X 

THE    VERDICT  OF   TIME.  Ill 

Abruptness  and  severity  of  dealing  with  ungodly  men 
was  not  unknown  to  the  preaching  of  those  times  ;  and  Mr. 
Clark,  self-trained  to  great  terseness  of  expression,  and  by 
nature  intense,  sometimes  manifested  the  fierceness  of  the 
lion  rather  than  the  gentleness  of  the  lamb.  The  following 
incident,  occurring  in  Amherst,  Mass.,  was  related  to  the 
writer  of  these  sketches.  It  is  easy  to  believe  such  a 
story  would  lose  nothing  by  repetition  in  passing  through 
lips  unfriendly  to  Mr.  Clark  ;  still  it  is  deemed  proper  to 
be  given  here  as  an  illustration  of  the  impression  some 
of  his  labors  made  upon  a  portion  of  the  community.  Ve 
hement  controversy  between  two  persons  in  a  blacksmith's 
shop  was  overheard  by  another  person,  sitting  in  the 
open  chamber-window  of  an  adjoining  house ;  and  the 
person,  thus  an  involuntary  listener,  went  down  to  ascer 
tain  more  definitely  the  character  of  the  dispute,  and 
found  the  two  parties  were  the  blacksmith,  a  profane  man, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Clark.  Mr.  Clark  said  to  the  black 
smith,  "  You  will  be  damned  if  you  do  not  repent."  The 
blacksmith,  enraged,  with  so  personal  and  severe  an  ap 
plication  of  the  gospel  warning,  retorted  upon  Mr.  Clark 
the  same  threatening,  in  similar  language,  though  with 
probably  more  of  it.  The  listening  party  returned  to  the 
house,  and  said,  "  The  other  man,  no  doubt,  was  swear 
ing,  and  he  should  have  said  Mr.  Clark  was,  also,  if  he  had 
not  known  who  he  was."  ^  , 

One  of  his  successors  in  the  pulpit  of  the  Amherst  church, 
speaking  of  Mr.  Clark  to  the  writer,  said,  "  He  was  a 
preacher  of  magnificent  sermons  ;  but  he  knew  not  how  to 
take  the  kinks  out  of  a  Yankee's  brain."  It  would  seem, 
however,  that  he  knew  how  to  take  out  the  self-conceit,  and 
some  of  the  delusions  out  of  the  sinner's  heart.  It  may  be 
said,  too,  that,  as  time  wears  on,  the  words  of  censure  of 
Mr.  Clark  become  infrequent  and  faint,  and  his  admirers 


112  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

speak  their  warm  praises,  with  few,  if  any,  to  call  in  ques 
tion  the  fitness  of  the  eulogy. 

There  was  noticeable  in  him,  as  the  infirmities  of  disease 
and  a  disabled  frame  gathered  upon  him,  a  rare  childlike- 
ness  and  humility. 

He  deceased  at  sixty-one  years  of  age  ;  but  his  remark 
able  powers  began  to  give  way  under  the  influence  of  dis 
ease  some  eight  years  previously  ;  so  that  his  ministry  in 
Adams,  N.  Y.,  where  he  was  last  installed,  continued  little 
over  a  year.  u  From  that  time  he  failed  gradually,  till  God 
called  him  home."  His  disease  was  one  of  rare  occurrence, 
—  the  ossification  of  the  arteries  of  the  brain. 

He  was  married  June,  1812,  at  Portland,  Maine,  to  Miss 
Eliza  Barker,  daughter  of  Dr.  Jeremiah  Barker,  of  Gorham. 
The  offspring  of  this  marriage  are,  James  Henry  Clark, 
M.D.,  Hon.  Horace  F.  Clark,  LL.D.,  Rev.  Frederic  G.  Clark, 
D.D.,  Edward  Clark,  Esq.,  Mary,  wife  of  Rev.  Livingston 
Willard,  and  Sereno  Clark. 

VII.  THE  REV.  EDWARD  WILLIAM  HOOKER,  D.D.,  was 
born  in  Goshen,  Conn.,  Nov.  24,  1794.  By  his  paternal 
ancestry,  he  traces  his  descent  back  (seven  or  eight  gener 
ations)  to  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hooker,  that  "  light  of  the 
New  P^ngland  churches,  and  oracle  of  the  colony  of  Con 
necticut  ; "  the  Puritan  father,  who,  with  others  of  like  re 
ligious  character  and  aims,  came  to  this  country  from  Eng 
land  in  1633  ;  first  settled  at  Newtown,  now  Cambridge, 
Mass.  ;  and  in  1636  removed  to  Hartford,  Conn.,  and  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  the  first  Connecticut  churches,  and 
pastor  of  the  first  church  in  Connecticut,  that  now  the  First 
Congregational  Church  of  Hartford.1  By  his  maternal  an- 

l  In  the  life  of  Thomas  Hooker  (by  Dr.  Hooker),  in  the  Appendix,  are  the  names 
of  forty-two  ministers  of  the  gospel  descended  from  him,  and  of  forty-one  mar 
ried  to  his  female  descendants,  —  among  them  some  of  the  brightest  lights  of  the 
American  pulpit. 


LABORS    OF  DR.    HOOKER.  113 

cestry,  Dr.  Hooker  is  descended  from  the  Elder  President 
Jonathan  Edwards. 

Dr.  Hooker  was  fitted  for  college  at  Goshen  Academy, 
and  Addison  County  Grammar  School ;  graduated  at  Mid- 
dlebury  College  in  1814 ;  studied  theology  at  Andover 
1814-18 ;  wras  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  in 
Green's  Farms,  Fairfield,  Conn.,  1821-29  ;  associate  gen 
eral  agent  of  the  American  Temperance  Society, 'and  editor 
of  the  "  Journal  of  Humanity,"  1829-31  ;  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  in  Bennington,  1832-44  ;  Professor  of  Sacred 
Rhetoric  and  Ecclesiastical  History  in  the  Theological  In 
stitute  of  Connecticut,  at  East  Windsor,  1844-48  ;  pastor 
of  the  Congregational  Church,  South  Windsor,  Conn.,  1848- 
(the  date  to  which  is  not  given)  ;  pastor  in  Fair  Haven,  Vt.. 
1856-62  ;  since  which  time  he  has  resided  with  his  son,  Rev. 
E.  C.  Hooker,  at  Newburyport,  Mass.,  and  at  Nashua,  N.  H. 

Dr.  Hooker  has  published  several  sermons  and  pam 
phlets,  and,  at  least,  two  thick  volumes,  —  one  the  life  of 
Thomas  Hooker,  the  other  memoirs  of  Mrs.  Sarah  Lanman 
Smith,  and  has  also  contributed,  with  more  or  less  fre 
quency,  articles  to  the  periodical  press.  With  an  intellect 
of  superior  excellence,  having  extensive  knowledge  of  men 
and  individuals  at  home  and  abroad,  and  wielding  a  racy 
and  vigorous  pen,  he  has  possessed  peculiar  talents  for 
writing  for  the  press.  But  his  heart  has  ever  clung  to  the 
preaching  of  "  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed  God"  as  his 
great  life-work.  Loving  the  evangelical  and  Calvinistic 
doctrines,  and  zealous  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints,  he  has  uttered  no  uncertain  sound,  and  occupied  no 
doubtful  position  as  a  preacher  of  Christ  and  him  crucified. 
And  a  life-long  example  of  high-toned  Christian  courtesy 
and  conscientious  Christian  circumspection  has  added 
weight  to  his  words. 

His  was  one  of  the  longer  of  the  Bennington  pastorates,  — 
10* 


114  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

twelve  and  a  half  years  ;  and  probably  none  of  the  ex-pastors 
of  this  parish  have  gone  away  with  warmer  attachment  to 
them  of  families  left  behind  than  has  continued  to  exist  be 
tween  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hooker  and  some  families  of  his  old  Ben- 
nington  pastorate.  Man}7  were  added  to  the  church  during 
his  ministry  here;  one  year  —  that  of  1834  —  the  number 
rose  as  high  as  ninety.  He  was  here  in  an  important  period 
of  the  history  of  the  church  and  the  town,  and  enjo}red  rela 
tions  of  mutual  respect  and  friendly  intercourse  with  leading 
members  of  the  church  and  community,  and  is  therefore 
eminently  fitted  to  furnish  valuable  reminiscences  of  the 
times  of  his  residence  here  ;  and  it  is  hoped  he  will  not 
fail  to  do  so. 

His  first  wife  was  Miss  Faith  Trumbull  Huntington,  of 
Norwich,  Conn.,  daughter  of  Jabez  Huntington,  Esq.,  and 
grand-daughter  of  Gen.  Jedidiah  Huntington,  of  New  Lon 
don,  Conn. ;  and,  on  her  mother's  side,  in  the  line  of  the 
Trumbull  family,  tracing  her  ancestry  back  to  William 
Robinson,  who  came  from  England  to  Dorchester,  Mass., 
in  1641,  and  i's  believed  to  be  a  descendant  of  the  vener 
able  Puritan,  John  Robinson,  of  Ley  den. 

The  children  of  this  marriage  are :  Mary  Lanman,  wife 
of  the  Rev.  Anson  Clark ;  Faith  Huntington,  wife  of  the 
Rev.  E.  J.  Montague;  Elizabeth  Peck,  deceased  in  1841, 
at  the  age  of  twenty-two,  —  all  of  whom  became  members 
of  the  Bennington  church ;  the  Rev.  Elias  Cornelius  Hook 
er,  Miss  Sarah  Huntington  Hooker,  and  the  Rev.  Edward 
Trumbull  Hooker,  —  these  last  three,  natives  of  Ben 
nington. 

Dr.  Hooker's  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Shelden 
Lyman,  of  Tro}r,  New  York,  sister-in-law  of  our  Deacon 
George  Lyman  ;  she  died  in  Fairhaven,  Vermont,  in  1856. 
His  present  wife  was  Miss  Lucy  Bagley,  of  Newburyport, 
Massachusetts. 


OTHER   BENNIXGTON  PASTORS.  115 

NOTE.  —  In  introducing  notices  of  two  living  pastors,  the  writer 
has  felt  lie  was  executing  a  delicate  task.  He  would  not  have  done 
so  but  for  the  fact  that  the  lapse  of  years  has  already  separated 
their  labors  in  Bennmgton  to  quite  a  distance  from  the  present. 
With  regard  to  the  remaining  ex-pastors  of  this  church,  and  the 
pastors  of  the  other  churches  in  the  town,  the  time  of  their  labors 
here  falling  into  the  more  recent  past,  is  the  writer's  apology  for 
omitting  any  other  than  the  briefest  statistical  mention  of  them, 
which  will  be  found  elsewhere. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

TRANSIENT  MINISTERS. 

)HE  REV.  MR.  BURTON.  —  In  the  interval  be 
tween  the  pastorates  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery  and 
the  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.D.,  there  was  a  revival  un 
der  the  labors  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Wood  and  Bur 
ton.  It  is  believed,  though  upon  what  evidence 
can  scarcely  be  stated,  that  the  Mr.  Burton  was  the 
Rev.  Asa  Burton,  afterward  distinguished  as  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Burton,  of  Thetford,  in  this  State,  author  of  the  "  Taste 
Scheme  in  Divinity,"  and  instructor  of  many  students  in 
theology.  He  was  at  that  time  the  young  pastor  of  Thet 
ford.  He  was  a  close  reasoner,  and  a  difficult  antagonist 
in  controversy.  The  following  characteristic  anecdote  has 
been  told  of  him.  Some  people^called  Christ-ians,  set  up  a 
Sabbath  evening  meeting  in  a  school-house  in  one  corner  of 
his  parish,  the  town  of  Thetford,  and  it  was  the  custom  of 
their  preacher  to  give  opportunity  after  his  sermon  to  any 
who  might  desire  it  to  ask  questions.  These  new-comers 
were  esteemed  to  be  not  sound  in  divinity.  Dr.  Burton 
thought  it  his  duty  to  attend  their  meetings  and  hear 
for  himself.  He  did  so,  and  when  the  opportunity  was 
given  to  ask  questions,  he  plied  the  stranger  with  such  diffi 
cult  ones  as  caused  him  to  cease  holding  any  more  meetings 
in  that  town. 

FATHER  MARSHALL  has  already  been  mentioned  as  a  Con 
necticut  Separate  pastor,  who  was  accustomed  frequently  to 


ANECDOTES  OF  FATHER  MARSHALL.         117 

pass  this  way.  He  is  described  as  possessing  ardent  piety, 
but  marked  by  eccentricity.  A  biographical  sketch  of  him 
in  the  "Vermont  Evangelical  Magazine"  for  July,  August, 
1815,  contains  a  graphic  account  in  brief  of  his  character 
and  life  ;  also  affords  a  glimpse  of  the  Separates  of  Father 
Marshall's  time.  He  was,  when  a  lad,  brought  under  deep 
conviction  of  sin,  which  ofttimes  returned  upon  him  with 
great  power  after  he  obtained  a  Christian  hope.  His  zeal 
in  warning  the  impenitent  and  the  lukewarm  would  brook 
no  restraints,  whether  as  an  exhorter,  being  yet  a  stripling, 
or  as  a  Separate  minister,  which  he  became  a  considerable 
time  before  his  twentieth  year.  For  violating  the  new  laws 
against  exhorting  in  other  ministers'  parishes,  or  the  preva 
lent  notions  of  propriety,  —  exhorting  in  season  and  out  of 
season,  —  he  was  arrested,  tried,  set  in  the  stocks,  bound 
out  to  a  farmer  two  months  to  pay  the  costs  of  prosecution  ; 
tried  again,  and  for  a  time  confined  in  Hartford  jail.  He 
was  twice  settled, — his  longest  pastorate  being  over  the 
Separate  church  in  Canterbury,  Conn.  When  nearly  seventy 
3'ears  of  age  he  removed  to  Starksborough,  in  this  State. 
He  preached  temporarily  in  Weybridge,  Hinesburgh,  and 
Westn'eld.  When  at  home  he  regularly  preached  to  the 
people  in  Starksborough  until  it  became  impossible  for  him 
to  do  so  any  longer  because  of  the  infirmities  of  advanced 
age.  He  often  performed  the  devotional  part  of  public 
worship  until  within  a  few  weeks  of  his  death,  which  took 
place  at  Starksborough  Feb.  20,  1813,  in  the  eighty-second 
year  of  his  age. 

Many  anecdotes  are  told  of  him,  of  which  three  or  four 
shall  be  given  here.  He  tried  for  a  time  to  conform  to  the 
demand  for  written  sermons,  but  did  so  with  an  ill  grace. 
On  one  occasion  his  little  notes  had  got  forward  gradually 
to  the  outer  edge  of  the  pulpit-desk  until  they  slipped  off. 
He  started  back,  and  said,  "  There,  go  with  }Tour  fetters  ! " 


118  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Once  preaching  here  with  great  earnestness,  he  cried  out, 
"  Where  is  Governor  Moses  Robinson's  piety,  and  where  is 
old  Esquire  Samuel  Robinson's  piety  ?  "  —  meaning,  Is  their 
piety  reproduced  in  those  who  ought  to  imitate  their  good 
examples  ?  At  another  time  preaching  here,  he  looked  out 
of  the  window  which  was  back  of  the  pulpit  and  saw  men 
harvesting  grain  on  the  Sabbath.  The  subject  of  his  dis 
course  was,  "  The  Claims  of  God."  Pointing  backward  to 
the  men  in  the  field,  he  said,  "  Bennington  sinners  can  trust 
God  to  send  them  rain  and  sunshine,  and  ripen  their  crops 
for  them  ;  but  they  cannot  trust  him,  after  the  grain  is  ripe, 
to  keep  it  for  them  twenty-four  hours  while  they  shall  keep 
the  Sabbath  for  him."  Once  when  he  was  a  guest  at  the 
elder  Mrs.  Samuel  Robinson's,  she  lamented  to  him  the  loss 
of  some  religious  privilege,  occasioned  by  their  removing 
from  Massachusetts  to  this  then  wilderness.  Father  Mar 
shall  remembered  her  state  of  mind,  with  his  wonted  par 
ticularity,  in  his  prayer  at  family  worship,  "  that  she  might 
have  grace  to  be  more  thankful  for  the  mercies  she  still 
enjoyed,  and  not  hanker  so  much  for  th^  flesh-pots  of 
Egypt."  It  is  related  that  she  was  never  again  heard  to 
complain  in  that  manner. 

There  is  an  anecdote  relating  to  the  "  Oracles  of  Reason," 
an  atheistical  book  of  Ethan  Allen,  —  the  edition  of  which 
was  consumed  in  the  burning  of  the  printing-office,  —  which 
has  been,  and  not  without  appearance  of  truth,  ascribed  to 
Mr.  Marshall.  He  was,  so  it  is  related,  a  guest  for  the 
night  of  Ethan  Allen,  and  in  the  morning  was  duly  called 
upon  to  attend  prayers  in  the  family.  Such  were  the  cus 
toms  of  hospitality  of  the  place  in  those  days.  Col.  Allen 
handed  him  his  "  Oracles  of  Reason,"  saying,  "  This  is  my 
bible.  I  suppose  you  have  no  objections  to  read  out  of  my 
bible."  His  reverend  guest  replied,  "  Let  us  sing  a  few 
verses  first ;  have  you  any  objection  to  the  common  psalm- 


REV.    JOSHUA    SPAULDING.  119 

book?"  —  "Not  at  all,"  said  the  host.  Mr.  Marshall, 
taking  up  the  psalm-book  which  lay  upon  the  table,  select 
ed,  and  proceeded  to  read,  the  psalm  commencing  with  this 
stanza :  — 

"  Let  all  the  heathen  writers  join 
To  form  one  perfect  book,  — 
Great  God,  if  once  compared  with  thine, 
How  mean  their  writings  look !  " 

Allen,  who,  notwithstanding  his  infidelity,  was  charac 
terized  by  great  cordiality- and  frankness,  interrupted  him, 
and  said,  "  Floored,  Father  Marshall ;  take  your  own 
Bible." 

Father  Marshall  would  be  requested  sometimes  by  the 
Baptists,  when  they  were  without  a  supply,  to  preach  for 
them,  and  even  to  administer  the  communion,  though  it 
was  not  expected  that  he  would  himself  commune.  On  one 
such  occasion,  a  piece  of  the  bread  fell  from  the  table  to 
the  floor ;  he  picked  it  up,  and  ate  it,  saying,  "  The  dogs 
eat  of  the  crumbs  that  fall  from  the  master's  table." 

THE  REV.  JOSHUA  SPAULDING.  —  At  a  society's  meeting, 
Dec.  13,  1804,  a  call  was  voted  to  the  Rev.  J.  Spaulding, 
and  a  committee  appointed  to  wait  on  him  and  inform  him 
of  the  same.  His  answer  is  not  on  record.  He  was  never 
settled  here.  He  had  preached  here,  it  is  said,  for  a  year 
or  more,  just  previously.  This  was  immediately  subse 
quent  to  his  dismissal  from  the  Tabernacle  Church,  in  Sa 
lem,  Mass.,  April  23,  1802, 1  and  prior  to  his  settlement 
over  the  Branch  (now  Howard  Street)  Church,  in  the  same 
city.  He  was  here  during  the  revival  of  1802-3.  He  is 
stated  to  have  said  that  he  had  had  a  part  in  forty  revivals. 

1  A  printed  farewell  discourse  of  his,  delivered  at  Salem,  Mass.,  ia  advertised 
for  sale  in  the  "  Vermont  Gazette  "  of  that  day. 


120  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

He  was  in  the  early  part  of  his  ministry  styled  a  New-Light 
preacher.  A  two-volume  treatise  of  his  on  Divinity  is  in 
print  $  also  lectures  on  the  coming  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ. 
He  also  compiled  a  hymn-book,  which  was  published  at 
Salem  soon  after  his  visit  to  this  place.  He  was  a  mil- 
lenarian.  An  interesting  manuscript  correspondence  has 
been  preserved,  and  is  in  the  possession  of  Gr.  W.  Robin 
son,  between  Mr.  Spaulding  and  others,  and  also  between 
him  and  Judge  Jonathan  Robinson,  on  the  second  coming 
of  Christ.1  He  was  blessed  greatly  as  pastor  in  building 
up  the  Tabernacle  Church  in  Salem,  and  in  promoting 
purity  of  church  discipline  and  spiritual it}^2 

He  preached  with  great  warmth  and  power.  In  Miss 
Read's  narrative,  as  before  noticed,  after  speaking  of  his 
singular  unction,  and  elevation  of  countenance  and  manner 
in  illustrating  the  righteousness  of  Christ,  so  as  to  bring 
forcibly  to  her  mind  the  text,  "  How  beautiful  upon  the 
mountains,"  etc.,  she  says,  upon  a  subsequent  page,  "The 
next  day  Mr.  Spaulding  preached  in  a  most  terrific  man 
ner.  He  showed  forth  the  terribleness  of  Christ's  coming 
to  judgment,  and  treated  of  the  confusion  and  dismay  of 
his  enemies  at  his  glorious  appearing." 

He  was  a  democrat  in  politics,  and  accustomed  to  speak 
and  write  his  political  sentiments  with  the  same  pointed- 
ness  and  freedom  that  he  did  those  of  divinity.3 

Mr.  Spaulding,  while  here,  with  his  daughter,  which  was 
all  the  family  he  had  at  the  time,  enjoyed  the  large-hearted 
hospitality  of  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey. 

l  There  appears  to  have  been  a  considerable  interest  here  and  in  the  vicinity, 
in  those  times,  in  the  Scripture  prophecies.  A  printed  sermon  is  at  hand,  by 
the  Rev.  John  Griswold.  pastor  of  the  church  in  Pawlet,  preached  in  1804,  and 
published  at  Beimington  (Haswell  and  Smead),  from  Rev.  xi.  10,  taking  the 
view  that  the"  two  witnesses"  signified  the  two  offices  of  the  magistracy  and 
the  ministry. 

2, 3  A  discourse  on  the  First  Centennial  of  the  Tabernacle  Church,  Salem, 
Mass.,  by  Samuel  M.  Worcester,  M.A.,  pastor  of  the  church. 


REV.    JEDIDIAH  BUSHNELL.  121- 

• 

THE  REV.  JEDIDIAH  BUSHNELL  is  remembered,  by  some  of 
the  old  inhabitants  in  this  town,  as  a  Vermont  minister, 
quaint,  but  able,  and  very  much  respected,  and  very  use 
ful.  He  was  a  classmate  in  Williams  College,  of  David 
Robinson,  Jr.,  Esq.,  and  visited  him  while  travelling 
through  this  part  of  the  country  with  an  invalid  son. 
Returning  home,  and  gratefully  remembering  the  hospital 
ity  of  his  friend  and  classmate,  he  wrote  an  affectionate 
and  faithful  letter  to  Capt.  Robinson,  on  the  subject  of  his 
personal  salvation.  Capt.  Robinson  always  esteemed  this 
letter  as  a  true  expression  of  friendship,  and  a  beautiful 
act  of  Christian  fidelity,  and  to  his  dying  day  used  to  show 
the  letter.  It  was,  some  few  years  since,  at  his  request, 
printed  in  the  "  Vermont  Chronicle."  The  following  anec 
dote  of  Father  Bushnell  used  to  be  related  b}7  the  Rev. 
N.  Hewitt,  D.D.,  of  Bridgeport,  Conn.  Mr.  Hewitt,  then 
a  young  preacher,  happened,  with  his  wife  and  first-born 
child,  then  an  infant,  to  be  in  the  company  of  Father 
Bushnell,  who  kindly  noticed  the  child.  Mrs.  Hewitt 
made  the  remark,  "Mr.  Bushnell,  I  am  afraid  I  shall  love 
this  child  too  much." 

"  No !  no !  madam,"  said  Father  Bushnell,  "  you  can 
not  love  it  too  much,  if  you  will  only  love  God  a  great 
deal  more." 

A  recipe,  that  he  once  gave  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  M. 
Henry,  at  the  outset  of  their  married  life,  is  worth  pre 
serving  ;  it  is  as  follows  :  — 

"To  Mrs.  Henry.  —  'Do  you  wish  to  know  how  to  make  Mr. 
Henry  to  be  a  good  husband? ' 

"'Yes.' 

"  '  Be  a  good  wife.' 

"To  Mr.  Henry.  —  'Do  you  wish  to  kiiow  how  to  make  Mrs. 
Henry  to  be  a  good  wife  ? ' 

"'Yes.' 

"  '  Be  a  good  husband.' " 
11 


•122  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

• 

THE  REV.  LEMUEL  HAYNES,  the  noted  colored  preacher, 
has  been  mentioned  in  the  biographical  notice  of  the  Rev. 
Job  Swift,  D.D.,  as  in  that  day  one  of  the  ministers  of  this 
region.  It  is  related  of  him  that,  while  a  pastor  in  Man 
chester,  he  was  called  to  preach  a  funeral  sermon  in  this 
town,  and  introduced  the  sermon  by  saying,  u  If  my  hear 
ers  expect  me  to  dwell  upon  the  faults  of  the  deceased, 
they  will  be  disappointed ;  and  if  they  expect  me  to  dwell 
upon  the  virtues  of  the  deceased,  they  will  be  disap 
pointed  ;  for  I  am  not  here  to  preach  to  the  dead,  but  to 
the  living." 

There  was  a  severe  drouth  in  this  town,  and  in  the  time 
of  it  came  the  day  appointed  for  the  ordination  and  in 
stallation  of  the  Rev.  Absalom  Peters,  then  the  youthful 
pastor-elect  of  this  church  and  society.  The  venerable 
Mr.  Haynes  was  present,  and  had  assigned  to  him,  as 
his  part  in  the  public  exercises,  the  concluding  prayer. 

There  were  other  able  divines  to  perform  the  more  con 
spicuous  and  weighty  duties  of  the  occasion,  but  a  hearer1 
related  to  me  that  Mr.  Haynes'  concluding  prayer  was  the 
particular  part  of  the  exercises  that  he  retained  a  vivid 
impression  of.  Mr.  Haynes  made  impressive  remembrance 
in  his  prayer  of  the  retiring  pastor  (Mr.  Marsh),  —  of 
whom,  doubtless  without  intention,  the  preceding  speak 
ers  had  omitted  to  make  mention  ;  also,  he  earnestly  sup 
plicated  that  the  long-continued  and  distressing  drouth 
might  come  to  a  speedy  end.  His  words,  as  related  by 
another  hearer2  were,  ."O  God,  wilt  thou  unstop  thy  bot 
tles,  and  pour  the  waters  upon  the  earth?"  It  began  to 
sprinkle  a  little  as  the  meeting  was  dismissed,  and  soon 
came  the  much-desired  plentiful  rain.  On  returning  from 
the  ordination  exercises,  Mr.  Samuel  Fay,  at  whose  house 
he  put  up,  and  who  was  accustomed  to  relate  this  anecdote, 

i  Gov.  Hall.  2  Mr.  Samuel  Fay. 


REV.    EDWARD    D.    GRIFFIN,    D.D.  125- 

said  to  him:  "Well,  Mr.  Hajmes,  your  prayer  was  an 
swered."  —  "I  thought  it  would  be,"  was  Mr.  Haynes' 
laconic  reply. 

Another  gentleman l  recollects  the  following  expressions 
of  Mr.  Haynes  :  In  prayer,  "  O  Lord,  we  are  so  selfish 
we  spoil  everything  we  do  ;  "  in  a  sermon,  speaking  of  the 
power  of  temptation,  and  the  distinction  between  tempta 
tions  that  are  sinful  and  those  that  are  not,  "  I  acknowl 
edge  you  cannot  prevent  a  temptation  entering  your  mind, 
at  all  times.  Neither  could  you  always  prevent  a  bird  fly 
ing  down  unawares  upon  your  head,  but  you  could  prevent 
its  making  a  nest  in  your  hair." 

THE  REV.  EDWARD  DORR  GRIFFIN,  D.D.,  is  remembered 
as  one  of  the  distinguished  ministers  who  have  occasionally 
occupied  the  pulpit  of  the  Bennington  First  Church.  His 
commanding  form  —  being  some  six  feet,  seven  inches  in 
height,  and  of  well-proportioned  stoutness  —  need  not  be 
here  particularly  described.  Pleasant  anecdotes  are  related 
of  his  being  duly  mindful,  upon  his  arrival  in  town  to  ex 
change,  or  to  fulfil  some  special  ministerial  appointment, 
that  in  the  respect  mentioned  he  was  not  an  ordinary  man. 
Upon  reaching  the  house  where  he  was  to  be  entertained, 
he  was  accustomed  to  see,  first,  that  the  faithful  beast  who 
had  borne  him  hither  was  well  cared  for ;  secondly,  that 
the  place  in  the  pulpit  from  which  he  was  to  deliver  his  dis 
course  —  that  is,  where  the  manuscript  was  to  be  placed  — 
was,  by  such  contrivances  as  could  be  extemporized,  suffi 
ciently  elevated  ;  thirdly,  that  the  bed  upon  which  he  was 
to  repose  for  the  night  was  suitably  supplemented,  so  as  to 
be  long  enough  for  so  tall  a  man  to  stretch  himself  upon  it 
without  discomfort,  —  for  all  which  attentions  he  would 

iMr.  SethB.  Hunt. 


124  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

return  graceful  acknowledgments  with  a  dignity  peculiar  to 
himself. 

But  when  once  in  the  pulpit,  and  engaged  in  his  favorite 
work  of  preaching  u  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed 
God,"  who  else  could  equal  the  majestic  eloquence  of  Dr. 
Griffin?  Of  two  or  three  excellent  anecdotes  illustrative 
of  this,  related  to  the  writer  of  this  notice,  one  shall  suffice. 
It  shall  be  given  in  nearly  the  same  words  of  the  friend 
who  related  it.1  Let  him  be,  as  it  were,  heard  to  speak : 
u  In  the  fall  of  1830,  a  most  beautiful  day  in  October,  news 
came  that  Alonzo  B.  Stiles  was  dead.  Men  stood  appalled 
at  the  suddenness  of  such  an  event ;  and  one  would  say  to 
another,  'Is  Stiles  dead?  It  is  impossible!'  But  so  it 
was.  He  had  undertaken  to  drive  a  pair  of  high-spirited 
horses  tandem;  something  gave  away,  he  was  thrown  out, 
his  head  striking  upon  a  rock,  and  killed.  If  not  killed 
instantly,  there  was  no  consciousness  after  the  blow.  He 
was  a  young  man  of  singular  beaut}'',  very  accomplished, 
and  very  much  admired,  and  had  many  friends.  He  was 
in  the  employment  of  the  '  Old  Furnace  Company.'  We 
had  no  settled  pastor.  His  friends,  and  particularly  the 
proprietors  of  the  'Furnace,'  sent  down  for  Dr.  Griffin 
to  preach  the  sermon.  They  appointed  Sunday  as  the  day, 
and  as  three  or  four  days  intervened  there  was  ample  time 
to  spread  the  notice.  Many  from  the  adjoining  towns  were 
accustomed  to  have  business  at  the  '  Furnace,'  and  they 
knew  Stiles  ;  they  all  came.  The  meeting-house  was  crowd 
ed.  Dr.  Griffin  took  his  text  from  Ecc.  ix.  12  :  '•For  man 
also  knoweth  not  his  time.'  The  sermon  was  preached  to 
the  young.  The  lesson  which  he  inculcated  was,  The  duty 
and  importance  of  youth  preparing  for  death.  As  the  ser 
mon  drew  near  its  close,  leaning  his  towering  form  over 
that  old  pulpit,  —  he  had  a  way  of  lifting  very  gracefully 

1  Mr.  Aaron  L.  Hubbell. 


AN  IMPRESSIVE   APPEAL.  125 

his  glasses,  —  leaning  over  the  desk,  he  said  :  '  My  dear 
young  friends,  procrastination  is  a  rock  around  which  the 
bones  of  shipwrecked  millions  are  whitening  for  eternity!' 
As  he  spoke  so  impressively  upon  the  subject  of  prepara 
tion  for  death,  its  duty  and  importance,  it  was  astonish 
ing  to  see  the  countenances  of  the  audience.  I  sat  with 
my  back  to  the  minister  —  the  old  square  pews  —  and 
looking  a  large  portion  of  the  audience  in  the  face.  I  have 
often  thought,  I  have  no  doubt  that  many  then  and  there 
fully  resolved  to  lead  a  Christian  life. 

"  That  death  seemed  to  make  a  great  impression  upon  the 
young  people ;  and  there  was  seriousness  all  that  winter. 
Along  in  June  of  the  succeeding  spring  it  was  resolved  to 
hold  a  three-days'  meeting."  The  summer  of  1831  will  be 
remembered  as  the  season  of  one  of  the  two  greatest  revi 
vals  in  the  annals  of  this  church. 

The  grave  of  Stiles  is  in  the  church-yard.  On  the  slab  is 
this  inscription :  "In  memory  of  Alonzo  B.  Stiles,  son  of 
James  and  Abigail  Stiles.  Born  at  Cavendish,  Vermont. 
September  9th,  1805  ;  died  in  this  town  (in  consequence  of 
being  thrown  from  a  wagon),  October  14th,  1830,  aged  25 
years  1  month  and  5  days." 
11* 


CHAPTER    X. 
THE  LAND-TITLE   CONTROVERSY. 

T  the  tjme  our  first  settlers  purchased  their  lands 
in  this  town,  probably  they  had  no  intimation  that 
any  claims  would  or  could  be  advanced  prejudicial 
to  their  titles  as  derived  through  the  Governor  and 
Council  of  New  Hampshire.  "A  claim  of  New 
York  had  been  asserted  to  Governor  Wentworth  by 
letter  from  Governor  Clinton  in  1750,  ....  but  the 
correspondence  which  had  taken  place  between  the  two 
governors  does  not  appear  to  have  been  published,  and 
was  wholly  unknown  to  the  settlers."  *  The  pretext  laid 
hold  of  by  interested  parties  for  claiming  jurisdiction  for 
the  Province  of  New  York  as  far  eastward  as  Connecticut 
River,  was  an  "  untenable "  charter  granted  by  King 
Charles  II.  to  his  brother,  the  Duke  of  York,  in  1664. 
"  Prior  to  the  proclamation  of  Governor  Golden,"  Dec.  28, 
1763,  "  setting  forth  the  claim  of  New  York  to  extend  to 
the  Connecticut  River  by  virtue  of  this  charter,  one  hundred 
and  twenty-four  of  the  one  hundred  and  thirty  land  patents 
granted  by  Governor  Wentworth  had  been  issued,  only  six 
of  the  whole  number  bearing  date  after  Dec.,  1763. "2  Our 
Bennington  settlers,  and  others,  had  already  made  valu 
able  improvements  upon  their  lands  when  this  proclamation 
took  them  by  surprise. 

"  That  prior  to  the  king's  order  of  July,  1764,  New  York  had 
never  for  a  single  moment  exercised  jurisdiction  to  any  part  of 

1  Hall's  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  76.  2  ibid. 


CHARTER    TO    THE   DUKE    OF   YORK.  127 

Connecticut  River ;  that  New  Hampshire  had  been  repeatedly  rec 
ognized  by  the  king  and  his  ministry  as  extending  westward  to 
Lake  Champlain,  and  to  a  line  running  southerly  from  that  lake 
to  the  north-west  corner  of  Massachusetts,  the  present  boundary 
of  Vermont ;  that  in  all  the  English  and  American  maps  of  that 
period  —  and  they  are  numerous  —  New  York  is  represented  as 
bounded  on  the  east  by  the  last-mentioned  line,  and  that  such  line 
was  universally  understood,  both  in  Old  and  New  England,  to  be 
the  boundaries  between  the  provinces  of  New  Hampshire  and  New 
York." l 

As  to  the  charter  granted  by  King  Charles  II.  to  his 
brother  the  Duke  of  York,  in  1664,  it  was  well  charac 
terized  by  Williams  in  his  history  of  Vermont  as  an  in 
adequate  and  blundering  transaction.  In  evident  igno 
rance  of  the  premises,  and  without  any  attempt  at  exact 
ness,  it  really  gave  the  Connecticut  River  as  an  eastern 
boundary,  and  the  east  side  of  Delaware  Bay  as  a  western 
boundary,  within  which  the  Duke  of  York  could  take  what 
was  not  already  chartered  away.  Otherwise  it  would  also 
have  given  to  the  Duke  of  York  portions  of  Massachusetts 
and  Connecticut ;  but  these  States  never  allowed  this  charter 
to  deprive  them  of  a  square  rod  of  their  territory.  It  also, 
for  other  reasons,  had  no  validity  in  law  against  the  set 
tlers  on  the  New  Hampshire  Grants. 

"All  the  lands  from  the  west  side  of  Connecticut  River  to  the  east  side 
of  Delaware  Bay."  "  This  grant  was  inconsistent  with  the  charters 
which  had  before  been  granted  to  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut;  . 
and  neither  of  them  admitted  it  to  have  any  effect  with  regard 
to  the  lands  which  they  had  settled  or  claimed  to  the  west  of 
Connecticut  River;  and  there  were  no  principles  which  apply  to 
human  affairs  by  which  this  grant  would  bear  a  strict  examina 
tion.  If  it  be  examined  geographically,  the  bounds  of  it  were 
contradictory,  indefinite,  and  impossible.  If  it  be  subjected  to 
a  legal  construction,  the  whole  of  it,  upon  James's  accession 
to  the  throne,  merged  in  the  crown ;  and  at  his  abdication  passed 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  146. 


128  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

to  William,  his  successor.  If  it  be 'considered  as  an  instrument 
of  government,  it  did  not  establish  any  colony  or  province  of  New 
York,  or  any  power  to  govern  any  such  province."  l 

That,  however,  which  made  the  New  York  pretext  much 
more  formidable  was  the  order  in  council,  referred  to  in  the 
above  quotation,  obtained  by  the  New  York  interest  from 
King  George  II.,  under  date  of  1764. 

*As  to  this  order  in  council,  it  was  extensively  believed, 
though  probably  without  foundation,  to  have  been  obtained 
by  applications  falsely  represented  to  be  in  the  name  of  the 
inhabitants  of  the  grants.2 

But  this  order  in  council  was  interpreted  by  the  settlers 
as  simply  decreeing  prospective  jurisdiction  to  New  York  as 
far  east  as  Connecticut  River.  This  the  king  had  a  right  to 
do ;  as,  in  chartering  these  provinces  of  New  York  and 
New  Hampshire,  the  right  of  altering  the  boundaries  of 
jurisdiction  was  reserved  to  the  crown.  Had  the  New 
York  officers  so  interpreted  the  king's  order,  probably  all 
controversy  would  have  been  at  an  end.  The  settlers  were 
not  disposed  to  revolt  against  the  jurisdiction  of  New  York 
upon  such  an  interpretation  of  the  order  in  council,  though 
such  jurisdiction  was  not  agreeable  to  them.3  Certainly  they  at 
first  appear  to  have  had  no  thought  of  resisting  it  by  force. 

1  Williams's  Hist,  of  Vermont,  p.  213.     See  also  Answer  of  Ethan  Allen  to 
Governor  Clinton's  Proclamation,  State  Papers,  pp.  85-93;  and  Early  Hist,  of 
Vermont. 

2  Williams's  History  of  Vermont,  1794,  p.  215.    In  a  note  on  this  page  :  "  The 
inhabitants  complained  that  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  king,  signed  with 
their  names,  but  unknown  to  them."    In  their  first  petition  to  Congress  (see 
State  Papers,  p.  62),  Jan.  7,  1776,  they  give  Ihis  account  of  this  petition  to  the 
king.      "  We  have  often  heard,  and  verily  believe,  it  was  in  your  petitioner's 
names."    On  the  subject  of  the  surreptitious  names  to  that  petition  to  the  king, 
see  also  an  article  from  the  "  Connecticut  Courant,"  April,  1772,  cited  in  Mr. 
Houghton's  published  address,  delivered  in  Montpelier,Oct.  20,  1848. 

3  "  The  petition  of  Mr.  Robinson,  in  behalf  of  his  constituents,  to  the  king 
had  not  only  asked  for  relief  against  New  York  patents,  but  also  to  have  the 
jurisdiction  of  the  territory  restored  to  New  Hampshire."  — P.  98,  of  Hall's  Early 
Hist.  Vermont. 


RESISTANCE    TO    THE   NEW   YORK   CLAIMS.  129 

But  the  New  York  government  were  not  satisfied  with 
an  immediately  commencing  jurisdiction,  and  with  such 
emoluments  as  might  arise  from  lands  not  previously  sold  ; 
the3r  insisted  on  their  right  to  all  the  lands  that  had  pre 
viously  been  sold  in  the  territory  in  question  by  the  New 
Hampshire  government,  and  to  retrospective  jurisdiction, 
and,  of  course,  to  satisfaction  and  due  punishment  of  of 
fenders  for  all  acts  in  the  past  that  had  been  committed  in 
violation  of  their  claimed  authority. 

"  By  the  principles  of  the  English  constitution,  the  lands  in  both 
New  York  and  New  Hampshire  were  vested  in  the  king,  both  being 
royal  provinces.  Their  boundaries,  also,  might  be  fixed  and  changed 
by  him  at  pleasure.  It  could  not  be  material  to  him  or  to  the  public 
through  which  of  his  servants  his  grants  were  made,  and  it  would 
be  difficult  to  find  a  reason  why  a  grant  obtained  in  good  faith 
from  the  government  of  one  province  should  be  declared  void 
merely  because  the  land,  by  the  subsequent  settlement  of  a  dis 
puted  boundary,  should  happen  to  fall  within  the  newly  established 
jurisdiction  of  the  other."  —  Early  Hist,  of  Vermont,  p.  119.  With 
regard  to  the  legality  also,  see  pp.  119,  120. 

The  settlers  here  resisted  this  claim  with  indomitable 
determination  and  spirit.  Matters  continued  to  wax  more 
serious  until  they  were  resolved  that  all  the  claims  of  New 
York,  both  to  retrospective  and  prospective  jurisdiction, 
should  be  resisted  to  the  end.  The  result  was,  they  came 
ere  long  to  the  determination  to  have  an  independent  State  ; 
and  they  pursued  this  determination  with  a  purpose  and 
vigor  which,  under  the  circumstances,  were  natural,  if  not 
at  all  times  legal.  But  that  they  had  law  and  equity  on 
their  side  in  the  main,  there  are  many  substantial  reasons 
for  believing.  So  Gov.  Wentworth  appears-  to  have 
thought,  for  he  reconfirmed  their  course  by  a  new  royal 
proclamation  under  date  of  March  13,  1764,  counter  to 
Gov.  Colden's.  That  the  king  was  displeased  with  the 
course  of  the  New  York  government  in  respect  to  the  Ver- 


130  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

mont  lands  is  evident  from  the  fact  that,  notwithstanding 
the  preponderating  influence  of  that  interest  at  court, 
Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  the  agent  of  the  settlers,  without 
prestige  and  without  money,  obtained  an  order  in  council 
of  his  Majesty,  of  July  24,  1767,  prohibiting  the  Governor 
of  New  York, 

"  Upon  pain  of  his  Majesty's  highest  displeasure,  from  making 
any  further  grants  whatever  of  the  lands  in  question,  till  his  Maj 
esty's  further  pleasure  should  be  known  concerning  the  same." l 

Whether  the  settlers  were  able  to  fathom  all  the  depths 
of  the  subject-matters  in  controversy,  or  not,  one  has  but 
to  read  Gov.  Hall's  volume  —  so  large  a  portion  of  which 
is  devoted  to  the  exhaustive  examination  of  its  merits  —  to 
see  that  the  New  York  claim  cannot  bear  the  test  of  such 
an  examination  either  in  law  or  equity.  Not  to  attempt 
any  extended  consideration  of  the  question  here,  two  or 
three  arguments  of  more  obvious  force  to  the  minds  of  the 
settlers  may  be  stated,  and  reference  is  here  more  particu 
larly  made  to  the  Bennington  settlers,  because  it  is  of  them 
this  volume  more  particularly  speaks. 

Their  utter  surprise  at  Gov.  Colden's  first  proclamation 
claiming  their  lands  has  been  already  alluded  to.  This  sur 
prise  overtook  them  after  they  were  well  settled  here,  had 
made  many  valuable  inprovements  on  their  lands,  having 
first  bought  them  in  good  faith,  paying  what  was  to  them  a 
large  price,  for  their  means  were  generally  scanty  and  they 
had  made  great  exertions  and  endured  much  hardship  to 
open  to  civilization  and  to  plant  with  Christian  institutions 
this  wilderness.  These  lands  along  their  Green  Mountain 

1  See  Shade's  Vermont  State  Papers,  p.  20.  That  this  order  in  council  of  his 
Majesty  was  constantly  and  in  a  high-handed  manner  disregarded  by  the  New 
York  officials,  and  as  constantly  and  earnestly  recalled  to  their  attention  by  the 
home  government,  see  Hall's  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  pp.  94,  99,  105,  106,  108, 
and  elsewhere. 


LOGIC   OF  DIVINE   PROVIDENCE.  131 

valleys  were,  with  God's  blessing,  upon  their  sturdy  exertions 
and  sacrifices,  putting  forth  signs  of  prosperity,  progress,  and 
wealth.  Now  all  was  to  be  swept  away  from  them.  They 
were  to  be  left  destitute,  penniless  ;J  and,  more  than  this, 
their  prospects  for  the  future  were  an  utter  blank.  They 
would  not  know  which  way  next  to  turn.  Let  it  be  borne  in 
mind  they  were  already  a  numerous  and  powerful  com 
munity.  By  that  law  of  necessity  which  inheres  in  man's 
dependence,  to  a  certain  extent,  with  his  choices  and  God's 
providence  combined,  upon  the  destiny  he  has  already  en 
tered  upon,  they  were  compelled  to  accept  as  a  logical  con 
clusion  the  justice  and  expediency  of  revolt  against  the 
jurisdiction  of  New  York,  whatever  that  jurisdiction  was  as 
determined  upon  in  the  king's  order  of  1764.  They  did 
not  accept  this  alternative  until  compelled  to  do  so  by  a 
course  of  events  which  told  them  instinctively  they  could  not 
err  in  so  doing.  They  felt  that  justice  on  their  side  must 
be  at  the  foundation  of  their  cause.  The  lands  under  New 
Hampshire  had  been  chartered  in  townships  to  numerous  per 
sons,  holding  some  three  hundred  and  thirty  acres  each. 
The  New  York  patents  were  employed  to  place  oftentimes 
whole  townships  and  even  more  in  the  possession  of  spec 
ulators,  and  fees  in  proportion  into  the  pockets  of  officials. 
The  covetousness  with  which  the  New  York  officials  and 
speculators  eyed  the  rich  alluvials  of  the  Green.  Mountain 
tributaries  to  the  Hudson  knew  no  bounds. 

Some  few  statistics,  which  bear  upon  this  point,  may  be 
noticed.  Twenty-six  thousand  acres  on  the  Battenkill,  to 
John  Taber  Kempe,  attorney -general  of  the  New  York  prov 
ince,  James  Duane,  a  prominent  New  York  city  lawyer,  and 
Walter  Rutherford,  a  merchant  speculator.  To  said  Duane, 

l  "  And  when  the  latter,"  the  New  Hampshire  claimants,  "  applied  to  the  New 
York  governors  for  a  confirmation  of  those  not  thus  granted,  such  enormous 
patent  fees  were  demanded  as  to  make  it  impossible  for  them  to  comply."  — 
Early  Hist,  of  Vermont,  p.  115. 


132  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

afterward,  fifty  thousand  acres  more.  Dimmore,  colonial 
New  York  governor  for  eight  months,  contrived  surrepti 
tiously  to  make  to  himself  a  grant  of  fifty-one  thousand 
acres  of  Vermont  land,  besides  granting  four  hundred  and 
fifty  thousand  acres  to  speculators,  and  getting  the  fees  for 
the  same.  Tryon,  his  successor,  provided  himself,  in  like 
manner,  with  a  township  in  Vermont  of  thirty-two  thou 
sand  acres,  besides  making  grants,  and  getting  fees  for  the 
same,  contrary  to  law,  of  two  hundred  thousand  more. 
Afterward  this  Tryon  was  absent  from  his  post  for  a  little 
more  than  a  year,  and  Lieutenant-Governor  Golden  filled 
his  place.  He  at  this  time  issued  patents  for  about  four 
hundred  thousand  acres  of  Vermont  land,  —  fees  to  himself, 
not  less  than  ten  thousand  dollars.  "  The  whole  quantity 
of  Vermont  land  patented  b}^  New  York  up  to  the  period 
of  the  Revolution,  besides  that  embraced  in  confirmatory 
charters,  exceeded  two  millions  of  acres,  more  than  three 
quarters  of  which  had  been  granted  in  direct  violation  of 
the  king's  order  of  July,  1767,  and  of  the  49th  article  of 
the  standing  instructions  of  the  crown."  J  Governor  Golden, 
during  one  of  the  periods  of  his  administration,  which 
lasted  little  more  than  a  year,  by  hurrying  such  land  pat 
ents  through  his  office,  pocketed  in  patent  fees  twenty-five 
thousand  dollars. 

The  New  York  provincial  government  was  aristocratic 
in  feeling  and  policy.  It  declared  such  sympathies  at  court 
—  strongly  siding  with  the  king,  against  the  republican 
character  of  the  settlers  on  the  grants,  as  matters  were  tend 
ing  to  a  rupture  with  the  mother  country.  Parties  in 
the  interest  of  the  New  York  speculations  upon  the  grants, 
contemptuously  stigmatized  the  settlers  as  "  fierce  republi 
cans,"  denounced  across  the  water  their  "  illiberal  opinions 
and  manners  as  extremely  offensive  to  all  loyal  subjects  of 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


ARBITRARY  MEASURES    OF  NEW   YORK.  133 

the  king."  Had  the  New  York  jurisdiction,  and  the  policy 
which  the  New  York  provincial  government  seemed  deter 
mined  to  indissoliibly  wed  with  it,  not  been  resisted,  they 
would  have  established  their  lordly  manors  here,  and  become 
patroons  of  the  Walloomsac  and  the  Battenkill. 

"All  the  officers  from  the  highest  to  the  lowest,  —  from  the 
judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  down  to  constables  and  superinten 
dents  of  highways,  were  appointed,  either  directly  or  indirectly, 
by  the  central  executive  authority  in  New  York  city.  The  town 
meeting,  that  school  and  nursery  of  republican  equality,  in  which 
the  men  of  New  England  had  been  accustomed  to  elect  all  inferior 
officers,  and  to  consult  and  legislate  upon  their  local  affairs,  was 
an  institution  hardly  known  in  that  province."  1 

The  measures  by  which  the  New  York  officials  sought  to 
accomplish  their  scheme  were  of  the  most  arbitrary  descrip 
tion.  They  divided  the  New  'Hampshire  Grants  into 
counties,  and  appointed  county  officers  ;  sent  men  to  survey 
the  lands  of  the  territory  in  question. 

There  was  a  long  story  of  writs  and  trials  of  ejectment. 

"  If  we  do  not  oppose  the  sheriff  and  his  posse  he  will  take  im 
mediate  possession  of  our  houses  and  farms ;  if  we  do  we  are  im 
mediately  indicted  as  rioters ;  and  when  others  oppose  officers  in 
taking  such,  their  friends  so  indicted,  they  are  also  indicted,  and 
so  on,  there  being  no  end  of  indictments  against  us  so  long  as  we 
act  the  bold  and  manly  part,  and  stand  by  our  liberty."  * 


1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 

2  Letter  of  Ethan  Allen  and  others  to  Governor  Tryon ;  see  State  Papers,  24-29. 
"  Silas  Robinson  is  believed  to  have  been  the  only  settler  in  the  Grants  whom 

the  Yorkers,  as  they  were  styled,  were  ever  able  to  arrest  and  punish  as  a  rioter, 
though  great  numbers  were  accused  and  indicted  as  such."  He  "  resided  on 
the  main  road  about  two  miles  north  of  the  Bennington  village,  at  the  place 
now  occupied  by  Stephen  Robinson.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  Novem 
ber,  the  sheriff  (Ten  Eyck)  and  his  party  (John  Munro  and  others)  went  to  his 
house,  and  coming  upon  him  when  he  was  off  his  guard  succeeded  in  taking  him 
prisoner;  and  by  returning  with  great  speed,  before  notice  could  be  given  to  hia 
neighbors,  they  were  enabled  to  carry  him  off  to  Albany,  where  he  was  detained 
in  jail  until  released  on  bail  the  following  October."  —  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 
12 


134  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

These  ejectment  trials  were  appointed  to  be  held  in  Al 
bany.1  In  them  the  question  of  the  validity  of  the  New 
Hampshire  charters  was  not  allowed  to  be  discussed ;  the 
charters  were  not  allowed  to  be  read  to  the  jury.  They 
were  at  the  outset  authoritatively  judged  to  be  null  and 
void.  The  Vermont  communities  were  pronounced  to  be  a 
mob.  In  1774  the  government  of  New  York  passed  an  act 
of  outlawry,  "  the  most  minatory  and  despotic  of  any 
thing  that  had  appeared  in  the  British  colonies,"  2  against 
those  who  had  resisted  the  attempt  to  dispossess  the  set 
tlers  of  the  lands  they  had  occupied  and  improved  under 
grants  from  the  New  Hampshire  government.  All  crimes 
committed  on  the  Grants  were,  by  a  statute  of  the  General 
Assembly  of  JSTew  York,  subject  to  be  tried  in  the  county 
and  by  the  courts  at  Albany.  At  the  same  time  a  procla 
mation  was  issued  by  the'  Governor  of  of  New  York,  offer 
ing  a  reward  of  fifty  pounds  a  head  for  apprehending  and 
securing  Ethan  Allen,  Seth  Warner,  and  six  others  of  the 
most  obnoxious  of  the  settlers. 

To  satisfy  New  York  those  who  had  bought  and  settled 
upon  and  improved  lands  under  grants  from  the  govern 
ment  of  New  Hampshire,  must  buy  them  over  again 
from  the  Governor  of  New  York,  or  from  the  speculators 
he  had  sold  them  to,  at  prices  many  times  over  more  than 
they  had  paid  for  the  original  purchase.  The  fees  to  the 
Governor  of  New  Hampshire  for  grants  of  townships  were 
about  one  hundred  dollars  ;  under  the  government  of  New 
York  they  generally  amounted  to  two  thousand,  or  two 


1 "  The  integrity,  too,  of  the  court  in  the  above-named  decisions  (Albany 
trials  of  ejectment)  may  be  questioned."  —  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  pp.  120,  121. 

2  Williams. —  "  An  act  which  for  its  savage  barbarity  is  probably  without  a 
parallel  in  the  legislation  of  any  civilized  coilntryj^-  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p. 
180.  See  a  full  account  of  the  act,  and  the  respoas^ejlt  provoked  on  the  part  of 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys.  —  Ib.,  pp.  180-186.  tye&lj  also,  Slade's  Vermont  State 
Papers,  p.  48. 


FEELING   IN  EAST   VERMONT.  135 

thousand  and  six  hundred  dollars.  In  instances  not  un 
common  their  possessions  had  been  sold  away  to  new  pur 
chasers  by  the  New  York  officials  before  the  occupants 
under  the  New  Hampshire  charters  had  time  to  rebuy  them 
themselves  of  New  York,  if  they  would. 

In  addition  to  all  this,  there  were  for  a  time  numbers  of 
individuals  and  combinations  of  men  on  the  east  side  of 
the  Green  Mountains,  who  lent  tbeir  sympathies  and  aid  to 
New  York ;  some,  doubtless,  from  the  conviction  that  on 
account  of  having  committed  themselves  in  some  way  to 
the  New  York  interest,  they  had  little  to  hope  for  them 
selves  if  the  cause  of  the  settlers  against  New  York  should 
win,  and  others  from  the  belief  that  the  cause  of  New  York 
was  too  powerful  to  be  successfully  opposed. 

The  following  paragraph  from  the  "  History  of  Eastern 
Vermont,"  by  Benjamin  H.  Hall,  describes  the  serious  divis 
ion  of  feeling  in  Guilford  (a  town  next  to  the  Massachusetts 
line,  and  the  easternmost  but  one  in  Southern  Vermont)  :  — 

"  Houses  were  divided,  — the  father  upholding  the  jurisdiction 
of  New  York ;  the  sons  maintaining  the  supremacy  of  Vermont. 
Friendships  the  most  intimate  were  disturbed.  The  word  neigh 
bor  carried  no  meaning  with  it  beyond  the  idea  of  contiguity. 
The  physician  could  not  visit  his  patient  in  safety  unless  protected 
by  a  pass.  The  minister  of  the  gospel  failed  to  enforce  the  doc 
trine  of  Christian  charity  on  the  hearts  of  men  who  knew  none  for 
one  another."  l 

It  was  in  this  state  of  things  that,  in  the  summer  of  1783, 
General  Ethan  Allen  was  directed  to  call  out  the  militia  for 
enforcing  the  laws  of  Vermont,  and  for  suppressing  insur 
rection  and  disturbances  in  the  county  of  Windham  (south 
east  county).  Allen  proceeded  from  Bennington  at  the 
head  of  one  hundred  Green  Mountain  Boys,  and  on  his 

1  p.  500. 


136  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

arrival  at  Guilford  he  issued  the  following  proclamation, 
concluding  it  (with  an  oath)  as  follows :  — 

"I,  Ethan  Allen,  declare  that  unless  the  people  of  Guilford 
peaceably  submit  to  the  authority  of  Vermont,  the  town  shall  be 
made  as  desolate  as  were  the  cities  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah." 

These  trials  made  the  settlers  here  very  determined,  com 
pacted  them  together,  set  them  irresistibly  against  the  ju 
risdiction  of  New  York,  caused  all  tories  to  become  very 
odious  in  their  sight,  and  bore  them  onward  through  incon 
ceivable  difficulties  and  hardships  to  the  goal  to  which, 
under  Providence,  they  were  surely  tending,  —  that  of  an 
independent  State. 

In  this  struggle  the  settlers  exhibited  some  rare  qualities 
of  a  superior  understanding  and  character.  With  all  their 
rude  energy  they  were  still  more  remarkable  for  shrewdness 
and  tact,  which  failed  not  unfrequently  to  be  identified  as 
such,  because  it  was  clothed  with  a  naive  simplicity  ;  and 
yet  it  went  as  unerringly  to  its  chosen  mark,  as  ever  did 
Locksley's  arrow  in  the  romance  of  Walter  Scott.  Full  of 
interest  are  the  accounts  of  their  success  in  keeping  the 
English  forces  from  invading  us  on  the  north,  for  two  years, 
and  when  we  were  in  a  manner  defenceless,  by  simply  per 
mitting  the  English  general  Haldimand  to  believe  that  they 
could  be  cajoled  to  sell  their  country  to  the  British  crown  ; 
and  yet  all  the  time  the  fire  of  patriotism  burned  as  bright!}' 
on  their  altars  as  did  the  flame  of  their  devotion  to  their 
more  narrow  interests  as  a  commonwealth.1  They  kept  the 

1  The  inhabitants  of  the  Grants  felt  that  they  could  not  consistently  join  an 
association  with  the  province  of  New  York,  so  they  formed  and  subscribed  an 
association  of  their  own  in  the  following  words :  "  We,  the  subscribers,  in 
habitants  of  the  district  of  land,  commonly  called  and  known  by  the  name  of 
the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  do  voluntarily  and  solemnly  engage,  under  all  the 
ties  held  sacred  amongst  mankind,  at  the  risk  of  our  lives  and  fortunes,  to  de 
fend  by  arms  the  United  States  against  the  hostile  attempts  of  the  British  fleets 
and  armies,  until  the  present  unhappy  controversy  between  the  two  countries 


SHREWDNESS    AND   MODERATION.  137 

surrounding  country,  and  every  Tory  and  Yorker  within 
their  bounds,  under  fear  of  being  hung  and  quartered  by 
them  if  caught  in  any  act  of  dereliction  to  their  cause. 
"  And  yet  during  the  whole  controversy  not  a  single  life 
was  taken  by  them,  not  a  person  was  permanently  maimed, 
and  there  is  no  evidence  that  a  gun  was  ever  aimed  and  dis 
charged  at  any  one."  l  Thus  they  were  considerate  of  the 
rights  and  peace  of  others,  although  determined  to  main 
tain  their  own. 

The  New  York  government  intimated  a  purpose  to 
stop  further  hostile  proceedings,  though  proposing  to 
continue  colonial  jurisdiction  over  them,  they  grounded 
arms  at  once,  and  held  public  rejoicings  over  the  pros 
pect  of  peace.  At  a  later  period  of  the  controversy,  when 
they  had  a  fair  prospect  of  being  able  to  incorporate  with 
their  declared  new  State  all  the  towns  up  to  the  Hudson 
River  on  the  west,  and  over  the  Connecticut  River  half  way 
into  New  Hampshire  as  it  now  is  on  the  east,  upon  the 
first  intimation  from  Congress  that  they  would  be  approved 
by  that  body  if  they  would  abandon  the  new  acquisitions, 
they  let  them  go ;  and  when  New  York  State  offered  to 
close  the  controversy  upon  their  pa}7ment  of  thirty  thousand 
dollars,  they  promptly  accepted  the  terms. 

But  severely  as  they  were,  for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a 
century  of  unscrupulous  and  powerful  opposition,  put  to  the 
test,  they  triumphantly  proved  to  the  world  that  it  was  not 
in  them  to  seriously  yield  the  rights  or  advantages  which 
were  vital  to  their  independence,  and  to  their  nobly  doing 

shall  be  settled."     Subscribed  by  forty-nine  of  the  fifty  members  of  the  conven 
tion  held  at  Cephas  Kent's,  in  Dorset,  July  24,  1776,  of  which  Captain  Joseph 
Bowker,  of  Rutland,   was  chairman,  and  Jonas  Fay,  of  Bennington,  clerk; 
thirty-one  towns  on  the  west  side  of  the  mountains  and  one  on  the  east  side 
being  represented  by  fifty-one  delegates.  — Early  History  Vermont,  pp.  231,  2. 
The  warrant  for  this  convention  was  signed  by  James  Breakenridge,  Simeon 
Hathaway,  and  Elijah  Dewey,  —  all  Bennington  men. 
i  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  161. 
12* 


138  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

as  men  and  citizens.  They,  therefore,  organized  their 
companies  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  appointed  general  con 
ventions  of  the  towns,  and  town  councils  of  safety,  and 
their  far-famed  State  council  of  safety,  adopted  a  dec 
laration  of  State  independence,  enacted  laws  for  themselves, 
and  put  in  operation  the  complicated  machinery  of  an  inde 
pendent  State  government. 

There  is  not  space  here  to  go  much  into  the  details  of 
this  vigorous  and  effective  struggle  of  more  than  a  quarter 
of  a  century.  The  hardy  settlers  were  armed  at  all  points. 
They  'drove  away  the  New  York  surveyors,  even  when 
these  came  supported  by  the  sheriff  and  his  posse ;  if  a 
comrade  was  stealthily  spirited  away,  when  made  aware  of 
the  fact,  they  mounted  horse  and  hurried  to  the  rescue,  and 
that  not  without  success;  if  a  "Yorker"  was  discovered 
among  them,  they  applied  the  Beech  Seal,1  or  some  other 
effective  chastisement.  They  sent  able  men  to  Albany  to 
remonstrate  there  against  the  proceedings  of  New  York, 
and,  had  they  been  permitted,  to  plead  the  causes  of  their 
people  in  the  courts  there.  They  sent  agents  to  the  court 
of  Great  Britain.  When  the  question  of  their  admission  as 
a  State  into  the  Federal  Union  had  become  a  question  for 
Congress  to  act  upon,  and  they  were  successfully  opposed 
for  years  by  the  powerful  influence  of  New  York  in  the 
Federal  councils,  they  sent  petition  after  petition  and  their 
foremost  men  to  represent  their  cause  occasionally  or  con 
tinuously  at  Philadelphia. 

l  The  moderation  and  justice  of  the  settlers  have  been  referred  to,  and  that  the 
severe  language  and  threatenings  were  not  so  much  for  actual  execution  as  for 
rhetorical  eifect.  With  regard  to  the  application  of  the  beech-seal:  "This 
mode  of  punishment  by  the  beech-seal,  though  much  talked  of  and  abundantly 
threatened,  was  not  often  executed.  There  are,  in  fact,  not  more  than  two  or 
three  well  authenticated  instances  in  which  it  appears  to  have  been  inflicted."  — 
Hall's  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  162.  See  also  his  further  remarks  to  show  that 
the  Green  Mountain  Boys  were  not  peculiar  in  inflicting  corporal  punishment 
upon  their  adversaries,  and  that  the  colony  of  New  York  was  "  at  that  time  by 
no  means  an  exception  to  that  practice. '; 


THE   LENGTH   OF   TJIE\  STRUGGLE.  139 

The  continuance  of  this  struggle  was  prolonged  through 
a  period  of  twenty-six  years, — 1764-1790.  While  they  were 
fighting  the  battles  of  American  independence,  they  were 
denied  a  place  as  a  State  among  the  United  States.1 

1  The  declaration  of  Vermont  Independence  was  issued  under  date  of  Jan.  15, 
1777.  "  The  vote  of  convention  to  be  an  independent  State,  and  the  declaration 
of  independence  accordingly,  was  decisively  brought  about  at  last  doubtless  by 
the  Declaration  of  American  Independence.  When  the  colonies  declared  them 
selves  free  of  the  British  Crown,  it  was  felt  by  the  Vermont  settlers  that  there 
no  longer  remained  any  earthly  power  recognized  by  the  parties  as  a  superior 
possessing  the  right  of  deciding  the  controversy  between  themselves  and  New 
York."  —  Gov.  Slade  in  State  Papers,  p.  65.  "  Every  part  of  the  United  States 
was,  at  that  period,  contending  against  oppression;  and  every  consideration  that 
could  justify  the  proceedings  of  Congress  was  a  reason  why  the  people  of  Ver 
mont  should  take  that  opportunity  effectually  to  guard  against, their  former  suf 
ferings."  —  Williams. 


CHAPTER    XI. 
LAND-TITLE  CONTROVERSY,  CONTINUED. 

add  to  all  their  other  difficulties,  there  sprang  up 
in  the  course  of  them  a  protracted,  painful,  and 
very  critical  controversy  with  New  Hampshire,  and 
parties  interested  with  New  Hampshire  in  making 
the  towns  between  the  Green  Mountains  and  Con 
necticut  River  a  part  of  that  State.  There  is  not 
space  here  to  notice  that  controversy  further  than  to  say 
that  it  had  required  the  utmost  possible  vigor  and  address 
of  the  settlers  to  prevent  it  from  finally  destroying  their 
hopes  of  becoming  a  State. 

Bennington  was,  throughout  this  controversy,  the  head 
quarters  of  the  opponents  of  New  York ;  the  place  where 
their  plans  of  operations  were  generally  devised,  and  whence 
issued  their  resolves  and  orders,  and  a  large  share  of  the 
physical  force  which  carried  them  into  effect.1  Ethan  Allen 
and  Seth  Warner,  who  bore  a  conspicuous  part  in  the 
struggle,  resided  here. 

Ethan  Allen,  being  on  one  occasion  in  Albany,  to  aid, 
if  an  opportunity  was  granted,  the  defence  in  the  eject 
ment  suits,  it  is  related  that  before  he  left  Albany  he  was 
called  on  by  the  Attorney-General,  who  told  him  that  the 
cause  of  the  settlers  was  desperate,  and  urged  him  to  go 
home  and  persuade  his  Green  Mountain  friends  to  make 
the  best  terms  they  could  with  their  new  landlords,  remind- 

l  For  the  composition  of  the  Vermont  Council  of  Safety  (originally  numbering 
twelve — (Gen.  Stark), —  and  some  notice  of  its  spirit  and  measures,  see  Early 
Hist.  Vt.,  pp.  258,  9. 


THE   BREAKENRIDGE   FARM.  141 

ing  him  of  the  proverb,  that  might  often  prevails  against 
right.  Allen  coolly  replied  to  them,  that  the  gods  of  the  val 
leys  icere  not  the  gods  of  the  hills;  and  when  asked  by 
Kempe,  the  king's  attorney,  to  explain  his  meaning,  he 
only  added,  that  if  he  would  accompany  him  to  Benning- 
ton  the  same  would  be  made  clear. 

When  James  Breakenridge's  farm,  at  one  end  of  the 
town,  and  Dr.  Fuller's  at  the  other,  were  singled  out  to  be 
forcibly  wrested  from  their  occupants  and  placed  in  the 
power  of  the  New  York  speculators,  the  citizens  of  the 
town  voted  to  take  the  farms  of  Breakenridge  and  Fuller 
under  the  protection  of  the  town,  and  to  defend  them 
against  the  New  York  officers  at  all  hazards.  This  resolve 
they  effectually  and  thoroughly  executed  ;  particularly,  the 
attempt  to  obtain  forcible  possession  of  Mr.  Breakenridge's 
farm  was  so  s}rstematically  and  deliberately  organized,  and 
yet  so  completely  defeated,  that  it  discouraged  attempts  of 
the  like  kind  thereafter.  The  sheriff  made  a  general  summons 
of  the  citizens  of  Albany  to  accompany  him,  so  that  when  he 
started  on  his  expedition  he  found  himself  at  the  head  of 
over  three  hundred  variously  armed  men,  of  different  occu 
pations  and  professions,  and  he  received  additions  to  his 
numbers  by  new  levies  on  the  way ;  but  with  all  the 
sheriff  found  "  the  gods  of  the  hills  "  too  strong  for  "  the 
gods  of  the  valleys."  * 

Remember  Baker,  of  Arlington,  opposed  to  New  York, 
was  assaulted,  with  his  family,  in  his  house,  before  day 
light  Sunday  morning,  by  John  Munro,  Esq.,  a  New  York 
justice,  and  ten  or  twelve  of  his  friends  and  dependents, 
and  forcibly  carried  off.  News  of  the  transaction  was 
conveyed  by  express  to  Bennington.  Ten  men  immedi 
ately  mounted  their  horses,  got  upon  the  track  of  the 
banditti,  intercepted  them,  and  rescued  Baker.  The 

i  See  a  graphic  account  of  this  important  affair  in  Early  Hist.  Vt.,  pp.  124-126. 


142  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

names  of  the  men  were  as  follows  :  Gen.  Isaac  Clark,  Col. 
Joseph  Safford,  Maj.  Wait  Hopkins,  Col.  David  S afford, 
and  Messrs.  Timothy  Abbott,  Stephen  Hopkins,  Elnathan 
Hubbell,  Samuel  Tubbs,  Ezekiel  Brewster,  and  Nathaniel 
Holmes.  (The  men  are  designated  by  their  subsequent 
titles.)1 

There  was  at  one  time  a  gleam  of  hope  from  Albany, 
entertained,  as  before  alluded  to,  by  the  settlers.  A  com 
mittee  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey  and  others  wrote 
a  communication,  and  Ethan  Allen  and  others  also  wrote  a 
letter.  These  were  conveyed  by  Capt.  Stephen  Fay  and  his 
son,  Dr.  Jonas  Faj^,  to  Governor  Tryon  ;  they  had  received 
a  safe-conduct  for  this  purpose  from  the  New  York  Gover 
nor.  They  were  kindly  received  by  him,  and  the  letters 
they  bore  appear  to  have  had  much  weight  with  him  at  the 
time ;  so  much  so  that  the  council  recommended  and  His 
Excellency  approved  the  suspension  of  all  prosecutions  in 
behalf  of  the  crown,  on  account  of  crimes  with  which  the 
settlers  stood  charged,  until  the  pleasure  of  the  king  should 
be  known,  and  also  suspension  of  civil  suits.  This  slight 
favorable  turn  moved  the  universal  joy  in  Bennington  and 
vinicity.  A  vast  concourse  of  people  assembled  at  the 
meeting-house  in  Bennington  to  give  expression  to  the 
general  satisfaction.  It  was,  however,  shortlived ;  the 
gleam  of  sunshine  soon  disappeared. 

This  was  July  15,  1772.  The  year  before  military  or 
ganizations  were  formed  in  the  several  townships  west  of 
the  mountains,  for  forcible  opposition,  when  necessary,  to 
the  New  York  patentees ;  one  company  was  formed  in 
Bennington,  with  Seth  Warner  as  captain  ;  the  whole  body 
of  companies  when  acting  together  were  commanded  by 
Ethan  Allen  as  colonel.  In  defiant  contempt  of  a  reported 
threat  of  the  Governor  of  New  York  that  he  would  "  drive 

1  Early  History  of  Vermont,  p.  137. 


PROCLAMATION   OF   THE   SETTLERS.  143 

the  opposers  of  his  government  into  the  Green  Mountains," 
this  military  body  took  the  name  "  Green  Mountain  Boys." 
The  place  where  in  Bennington  the  councils  of  the  leaders 
were  held,  the  Council  of  Safety,  was  the  Green  Mountain 
Tavern  kept  by  Capt.  Stephen  Fay.  It  had  for  its  sign 
the  stuffed  skin  of  a  catamount,  with  teeth  grinning  toward 
New  York,  and  hence  came  to  be  called  the  Catamount 
Tavern.  Mention  has  been  made  of  negotiations  by  Ver 
mont  statesmen,  with  other  parties  and  powers,  about  the 
questions  in  controversy,  and  particularly  at  Philadelphia. 

Prominent  among  them  were  Bennington  men  such  as 
Jonas  Fay,  Moses  Robinson,  Isaac  Tichenor,  etc. 

At  the  convention  of  the  towns  west'  of  the  Green 
Mountains,  at  the  house  of  Cephas  Kent,  in  Dorset,  Jan. 
16,  1776,  at  which  it  was  voted  "  to  represent  the  particular 
case  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  to 
the  honorable  Continental  Congress  by  remonstrance  and 
petition,"  Dr.  Jonas  Fay  was  chairman  of  the  committee 
to  prepare  the  petition ;  Lieut  James  Breakenridge,  Capt. 
Heman  Allen,  and  Dr.  Jonas  Fay  were  appointed  to  pre 
sent  the  petition  to  Congress, —  one  of  the  most  important 
documents  to  which  this  great  controversy  gave  rise.  Sim 
eon  Hatheway,  Elijah  Dewey,  and  James  Breakenridge  were 
appointed  a  committee  with  power  to  warn  a  general  meet 
ing  of  the  committees  on  the  Grants  when  they  shall  judge 
necessary  from  southern  intelligence. 


NOTES  TO  THE  ABOVE  TWO  CHAPTERS. 

"  And  we  now  proclaim  to  the  public,  not  only  for  ourselves,  but 
for  the  New  Hampshire  grantees  and  occupants  in  general,  that 
the  spring  and  moving  cause  of  our  opposition  to  the  government 
of  New  York  was  self-preservation ;  namely,  first,  the  preserva- 


144  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

tion  and  maintenance  of  our  property ;  and,  secondly,  since  that 
government  is  so  incensed  against  us,  therefore  it  stands  us  in  hand 
to  defend  our  lives.  For  it  appears,  by  a  late  set  of  laws  passed 
by  the  legislature  thereof,  that  the  lives  and  property  of  the  New 
Hampshire  settlers  are  manifestly  struck  at.  But,  that  the  public 
may  rightly  understand  the  essence  of  the  controversy,  we  now 
proclaim  to  these  lawgivers,  and  to  the  world,  that  if  the  New 
York  patentees  will  remove  their  patents,  that  have  been  subse 
quently  lapped  and  laid  on  the  New  Hampshire  charters,  and  quiet 
us  in  our  possessions,  agreeably  to  His  Majesty's  directions,  and 
suspend  those  criminal  prosecutions  against  us  for  being  rioters  (as 
we  are  unjustly  denominated),  then  will  our  settlers  be  orderly  and 
submissive  subjects  of  government.  But  be  it  known  to  that  de 
spotic  fraternity  of  lawmakers,  and  law-breakers,  that  we  will  not 
be  fooled  or  frightened  out  of  our  property."1  "At  a  general 
meeting  of  the  committees  for  the  townships  on  the  west  side  of 
the  Green  Mountains,  it  was  resolved,  April  14,  1774,  that  for  the 
future  every  necessary  preparation  be  made,  and  that  our  inhabi 
tants  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  at  a  minute's  warning,  to  aid 
and  defend  such  friends  of  ours,  who,  for  their  merit  to  the  great 
and  general  cause,  are  falsely  denominated  rioters.  But  that  we 
will  not  act  anything,  more  or  less,  but  on  the  defensive ;  and  al 
ways  encourage  due  execution  of  law  in  civil  cases,  and  also  in 
criminal  prosecutions  that  are  so  indeed,  and  that  we  will  assist, 
to  the  utmost  of  our  power,  the  officers  appointed  for  that  pur 
pose." 

"  On  the  farm  of  James  Breakenridge  the  first  serious  attempt 
was  made  by  the  New  York  State  Government  to  forcibly  dispos 
sess  the  occupants,  and  to  divide  up  the  property  amongst  New 
York  claimants  ;  and  here  they  met  with  their  first  serious  discom 
fiture  ;  and  this  was  their  last  attempt  of  that  kind.  Here,  in  fact, 
on  the  farm  of  James  Breakenridge,  was  born  the  future  State  of 
Vermont,  which,  struggling  through  the  perils  of  infancy,  had,  at 
the  commencement  of  the  general  Revolution,  acquired  the  activity 
and  strength  of  adventurous  youth,  and  at  its  close  reached  the 
full  stature  of  manhood;  and  not  long  afterward  had  become  the 
acknowledged  equal  of  its  associate  American  republics."2 

1  Remonstrances  of  Ethan  Allen  and  others.  —  State  Papers,  page  40.    See 
also  proclamation  of  Gov.  Clinton.  —  State  Tapers,  pp.  82-4. 

2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


ADMISSION   OF   VERMONT  INTO    THE    UNION.  145 

An  Act  for  the  admission  of  the  State  of  Vermont  into  this 
Union. 

The  State  of  Vermont  having  petitioned  the  Congress  to  be  ad 
mitted  a  member  of  the  United  States, — 

Be  it  enacted,  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  in  Congress  assembled,  and  it  is  hereby  en 
acted  and  declared,  That  on  the  fourth  day  of  March,  one  thousand 
seven  hundred  and  ninety-one,  the  said  State,  by  the  name  and 
style  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  shall  be  received  and  admitted  into 
this  Union,  as  a  new  and  entire  member  of  the  United  States  of 
America. 

FREDERIC   AUGUSTUS   MUHLENBERG, 

Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives. 

JOHN  ADAMS, 

Vice- President  of  the  United  States,  and  President  of  the  Senate. 

Approved  Feb.  18,  1791. 

GEORGE   WASHINGTON, 

President  of  the  United  States. 
13 


CHAPTER    XII. 
THE  BENNINGTON  BATTLE. 

"  Pliant  as  reeds  where  streams  of  freedom  glide, 
Firm  as  the  hills  to  stem  oppression's  tide."  1 

p)T  is  the  aim  of  this  part  of  the  volume  to  view  the  bat 
tle  from  the  Bennington  stand-point,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  preserve  the  truth  of  history  ;  and  the  relation 
of  the  battle  to  general  history  will  be  presented  at 
some  length. 

I.  ANXIETY  IN  THE  COUNTRY  PREVIOUS  TO  THE  BAT 
TLE. —  At  the  surrender  of  Ticonderoga  by  St.  Clair,  July 
6,  1777,  the  anxiety  of  the  country  became  universal.  We 
had  failed,  under  the  brave  and  lamented  Montgomery,  to 
carry  Quebec  by  storm.  We  had  abandoned  Crown  Point. 
Our  little  navy,  though  handled  with  utmost  spirit  and  res 
olution,  had  proved  itself  unable  to  resist  the  vastly  supe 
rior  strength  of  the  British  flotilla  on  Lake  Champlain.  We 
had,  by  mortifying  negligence  2  in  not  fortifying  Mt.  Defi- 

1  Motto  of  the  first  paper  printed  in  Vermont,  1781.  —  Thompson. 

2  "  July  5.  —  It  is  with  astonishment  we  find  the  enemy  has  taken  possession  of 
an  eminence  called  Sugar  Loaf  Hill,  or  Mt.  Defiance,  which,  from  its  height  and 
proximity, completely  overlooks  and  commands  all  our  works  at  Ticonderoga  and 
Mt.  Independence.  This  mount,  it  is  said,  ought  long  since  to  have  been  fortified 
by  our  army;  but  its  extreme  difficulty  of  access,  and  the  want  of  a  sufficient 
number  of  men,  are  the  reasons  assigned  for  its  being  neglected."    "  July  14.— 
The  abandonment  of  Ticonderoga  and  Mt.  Independence  has  occasioned  the 
greatest  surprise  and  alarm.    No  movement  could  be  more  unexpected,  nor 
more  severely  felt,  throughout  our  army  and  country.     The  disaster  has  given 
to  our  cause  a  dark  and  gloomy  aspect."    Generals  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair  are 


DISASTERS.  147 

ance,  which  commanded  Ticonderoga  and  Mt.  Independ 
ence,  lost  what  was  regarded,  under  the  circumstances  of 
the  country  at  that  time,  as  the  bulwark  of  the  North. 
The  main  body  of  our  army,  fleeing  eastwardly  into  the 
New  Hampshire  Grants,  had  been  hotly  pursued  by  the 
enemy,  and  its  rear-guard,  under  Warner  and  Francis,  at 
tacked  at  Hubbardton,  and,  though  men  never  fought  more 
bravely,  Riedsell's  advance  with  his  Germans  had  decided 
the  day  against  us.  In  our  flight  thence  southward,  being 
joined  by  that  portion  of  the  army  which  had  charge  of  bag 
gage  and  army  stores,  —  and  which  had  successively  aban 
doned  Skenesborough  and  Fort  Ann,  —  Fort  Edward, 
Moses  Creek,  Saratoga,  were  in  a  brief  time  occupied  and 
then  surrendered  by  our  wasting  troops. 

Serious  reverses  in  other  parts  of  the  country  intensified 
the  alarm.     Public  fasts  were  observed  in  some  States. 


spoken  of  in  this  entry  as  severely  suspected,  or,  at  least,  complained  of. 
"Time  and  calm  investigation  must  determine."  —  Thacher's  Military  Journal. 
Palmer  vindicates  Schuyler  and  St.  Clair  from  blame.  "  Both  Schuyler  and  St. 
Clair  were  severely  and  unjustly  censured;  "  but  says  also,  "That  a  great  error 
was  committed  in  relying  upon  the  supposed  strength  of  the  position  at  Ticon 
deroga,  cannot  be  denied.7'  —  Palmer's  History  of  Lake  Champlain.  Irving  is  an 
admirer  of  .Schuyler.  —  Irving's  Life  of  Washington.  Bancroft  appears  to  be 
about  right.  "  Meantime  the  British  were  never  harried  by  the  troops  with 
Schuyler,  against  whom  public  opinion  was  rising.  Men  reasoned  rightly,  that, 
if  Ticonderoga  was  untenable,  he  should  have  known  it,  and  given  timely  orders 
for  its  evacuation;  instead  of  which  he  had  been  keeping  up  stores  there  to  the 
last."  — Bancroft,  Vol.  ix.,  p.  372. 

Even  Washington  was  oppressed  by  the  tidings  from  Ticonderoga.  He  wrote 
to  General  Schuyler,  on  hearing  of  the  disaster :  "  The  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga 
and  Mt.  Independence  is  an  event  of  chagrin  and  surprise  not  apprehended  nor 
within  the  compass  of  my  reasoning."  He  said,  "  As  matters  are  going,  Burgoyne 
will  have  little  difficulty  in  penetrating  to  Albany."  "Sir  William  Howe  was 
promptly  notified  that  Burgoyne  had  precise  orders  to  force  a  junction  with  the 
army  in  New  York."  —  Bancroft.  "  The  rapid  progress  of  General  Burgoyne  oil 
the  side  of  the  lakes,  and  the  unaccountable  conduct  of  their  (American)  com 
manders  in  abandoning  Ticonderoga,  were  events  so  alarming  and  unexpected 
that  they  could  not  fail  to  perplex  their  counsels,  and  considerably  impede  their 
defensive  preparations  in  other  parts."  — An  Impartial  History  of  the  War  in 
America,  etc.  London,  1787.  "  There  are  many  long  faces,  for  the  key  of  North 
America  is  lost  and  gone." 


148  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

"  At  Alban}r,  it  is  said,  the  people  ran  about  as  if  dis 
tracted,  sending  off  their  goods  and  furniture ;  and  this 
feeling  pervaded  the  entire  northern  and  eastern  part  of 
New  York,  and  the  adjacent  portions  of  Vermont  and  Mas 
sachusetts."  l  The  region  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants 
was  profoundly  stirred.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Noble,  in  his  Wil- 
liamstown  centennial  address,  speaking  of  a  dwelling-house 
then  building  (1777),  —  the  Smedley  house,  —  says,  "The 
roof  of  it  was  no  sooner  in  place  than  the  house  was  crowded 
in  every  part  by  families  flying  from  the  terrors  which 
darkened  the  whole  region  north  and  west  of  us,  as  the  cloud 
of  war  rolled  on  from  Canada  to  Lake  George  and  Saratoga." 
East  of  the  mountains  the  people  of  several  towns  crossed 
the  Connecticut.  In  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  they  were  "  greatly 
burdened  with  people  who  had  fled  from  the  New  Hamp 
shire  Grants."  The  settlers  along  the  lake,  and  as  far 
down  as  Manchester,  had  either  submitted  to  Burgoyne 
and  taken  his  protection,  or  were  abandoning  their  posses 
sions  and  removing  southward.2 

Gen.  Howe  had  beaten  us  on  Long  Island  and  at  New 
York,  —  taking  forts,  men  and  magazines,  —  and  had  also 
gotten  possession  of  New  Jersey,  and  Newport  in  Rhode 
Island.3  Though  this  able  British  general  spent  much  time 
contriving  and  executing  manoeuvres  with  his  army  and  na 
vy  to  deceive  us  as  to  his  real  intentions,  Gen.  Washington 
did  not  suffer  himself  to  be  successfully  imposed  upon,  and 
entertained  no  doubt  that  his  real  design  was  to  secure  Gen. 
Burgoyne's  junction  with  himself,  by  way  of  Hudson  River.4 

1  Dawson's  Battles  of  the  United  States. 

2  Butler's  Address. 

3  "  The  British  appeared  now  so  far  superior  in  their  naval  and  military  forces, 
and  munitions  of  war,  that  whoever  computed  the  issue  of  the  controversy  by 
the  natural  course  of  tilings  could  hardly  avoid  the  conclusion  that  the  Colonies 
would  have  to  submit  to  the  sovereignty  of  Great  Britain." 

4  "  The  great  battle-field  of  the  Revolution  "  has  been  perhaps  not  inappropri 
ately  represented  "  as  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Champlain,  —  for  the  great  purpose 


INDIAN   TERRORS.  149 

Lient.-Gen.  Burgoyne  brought  to  the  campaign  in  the 
north  a  considerable  prestige  from  over  the  sea,  and  this 
was  now  very  much  enhanced  by  his  late  achievements  on 
Lake  Champlain  and  in  its  immediate  vicinity.1  His  men, 
officers,  and  equipments  had  been  provided  with  great  care 
by  the  Home  Government.2  Upon  arriving  in  this  country 
he  entered  promptly  upon  his  work,  and  down  to  the  time 
of  his  encampment  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson,  opposite 
Saratoga,  his  career  had  been  an  unvarying  series  of  suc 
cesses  skilfully  and  vigorously  pursued. 

II.  INDIAN  TERRORS.  —  The  early  colonies  of  Massachu 
setts,  Connecticut,  and  Rhode  Island  found  added  to  their 
other  hardships  those  of  Indian  hostility.  Crafty  and 
cruel  tribes,  who  had  preoccupied  the  soil,  preyed  upon  them 
by  night,  and  in  ambush  by  day.  The  early  settlers  here 
were  spared  this  severe  experience  ;  nevertheless  the  sav 
age  nature  of  the  red  man  was  sufficiently  understood  by 
them.  Several  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  had  had 

of  the  British  Government  was  to  sever  New  England  from  the  South  and  West, 
thus  rendering  her  incapable  of  assisting,  or  receiving  assistance." 

1  He  had  concluded  a  campaign  in  Spain  with  great  credit  to  himself.  He  then 
was  elected  to  Parliament,  where  he  served  not  without  some  distinction;  he  also 
used  his  pen  with  considerable  success,  before  he  was  appointed  a  lieutenant- 
general  to  take  charge  of  the  campaign  in  America,  in  the  North.  —  Intro 
duction  to  Burgoyne's  Orderly  Book. 

-  "  Lieut. -Gen.  Burgoyne,  an  officer  whose  ability  was  unquestioned,  and  whose 
spirit  of  enterprise  and  thirst  for  military  glory,  however  rivalled,  could  not  pos 
sibly  be  exceeded.''  —  Impartial  History  of  the  War  in  America,  London,  1787. 
"The  British  general's  well-known  abilities  and  valor."  — Andrews,  London, 
1783.  "  This  part  of  the  service  "  (a  "  powerful  artillery  ")  "  was  particularly  at 
tended  to,  and  the  brass  train  that  was  sent  over  on  this  expedition  (to  America) 
was  perhaps  the  finest,  and  probably  the  most  excellently  supplied,  as  to  officers 
and  private  men,  that  had  ever  been  allotted  to  second  the  operations  of  any  army 
which  did  not  far  exceed  the  present  in  numbers."  —  Impartial  History,  etc. 
Account  of  the  British  preparations  under  Gen.  Carlton,  pending  the  arrival  of 
Burgoyne  from  Europe.  "  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  who  had  under  him,  Generals  Bur 
goyne,  Phillips,  Frazer,  Nesbit  and  Riedell ;  all  men  of  acknowledged  skill  and 
ability. "  — Palmer's  History  of  Lake  Champlain,  pp.  117,  134.  See,  also,  Gor 
don,  Thacher,  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition. 
13* 


150  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

near  relatives  massacred  or  carried  captives  by  the  In 
dians.1 

The  murder  of  Miss  McCrea,  July  27,  1777,  owing  to 
some  peculiar  circumstances,  was  upon  every  tongue.  She 
was  a  young  woman  of  twenty,  belonging  to  a  patriotic 
family,  that  of  a  Presbyterian  clergyman  of  New  Jersey, 
(but  engaged  to  be  married  to  one  Jones,  a  commissioned 
officer  in  Peters'  corps  of  lo}falists.  She  was  a  guest  at  the 
house  of  Jones'  mother,  within  the  British  lines,  in  the  vi 
cinity  of  Fort  Edward,  and  started  under  an  escort  of  two 
Indians  to  go  to  the  house  of  Jones'  brother,  near  the 
British  camp,  some  three  or  four  miles  distant,  to  meet  her 
betrothed.  She  esteemed  herself  under  the  protection  of 
British  arms.  It  is  said  a  barrel  of  rum  had  been  promised 
to  her  escort  if  she  was  delivered  safely  at  the  place  of  her 
destination  ;  and  that  the  Indians  quarrelled  about  the  re 
ward.  Some  half  a  mile  yet  remained  to  the  accomplish 
ment  of  the  journey,  and  one  of  the  Indians  sunk  his  tom 
ahawk  in  her  skull.  The  incident  was  not  of  unusual  bar 
barity  ;  but  this  massacre  of  a  betrothed  girl,  on  her  way  to 
her  lover,  touched  the  hearts  of  all  who  heard  the  story.2 

Gen.  Carleton  (Burgoyne's  predecessor  in  command) 
omitted  to  employ  savages,  '"probably  because,  in  a  word, 
that  their  service  was  uncertain,  their  rapacity  insatiable, 
their  faith  ever  doubtful,  and  their  actions  cruel  and  barba 
rous."  3  Burgoyne  hesitated  for  a  time,  but  soon  yielded 

1  Major  Wait  Hopkins,   father  of  Major  Aaron   Robinson's  first  wife,  was 
killed  by  the  Indians.    Eliphalet  Follet,  father[of  Charles  Follett,  who  married 
Hannah,  daughter  of  Col.  Samuel  Robinson,  was  killed  by  them  in  a  great  mas 
sacre,  June,  1777;  Isaac  Webster,  who  married  Anna,  youngest  child  of  Samuel 
Robinson,  Sr.,  was  at  one  time  previous  to  his  marriage  a  captive  among  them. 

Mrs.  Harvey,  of  Cleveland,  is  a  grand-daughter  of  Mrs.  Isaac  Webster;  Mrs. 
Rev.  Henry  M.  Swift  of  Michigan,  is  a  great-grand-daughter. 
See  Thompson's  Vermont,  p.  11,  chap.  4,  sec.  7. 

2  Burgoyne's  Orderly  Book,  Ramsey,  Gordon,  Irving,  Bancroft. 

3  An  Impartial  History  of  the  War  in  America,  etc. ;  London,  1787,  p.  446. 
He  was  afterward  ordered  by  the  Home  Government  to  employ  the  savages,  and 
complied  with  his  orders.  —  Ib.,  p.  447. 


BAUM'S  EXPEDITION.  151 

bis  scruples.  He  hunted  out  the  assassin  of  Miss  McCrea, 
and  threatened  him  with  death,  but  pardoned  him  on  hear 
ing  that  the  total  defection  of  the  Indians  would  have  en 
sued  from  putting  that  threat  into  execution.1  Early  in 
June  he  confessed  to  Germain,  that, "  were  the  Indians  left 
to  themselves,  enormities  too  horrid  to  think  of  would  en 
sue  ;  guilty  and  innocent  women  and  infants  would  be  a 
common  prey."  He  nevertheless  resolved  to  use  them  as 
instruments  of  terror.  He  gave  out  that  he  would  send 
them  after  arriving  at  Albany  toward  Connecticut  and 
Boston. 

"  Let  not  people  consider  their  distance  from  my  camp.  I  have 
but  to  give  stretch  to  the  Indian  forces  under  my  direction,  and 
they  amount  to  thousands,  to  overtake  the  hardened  enemies  of 
Great  Britain.  If  the  frenzy  of  hostility  should  remain,  I  trust  I 
shall  stand  acquitted  in  the  eyes  of  God  and  man,  in  executing  the 
vengeance  of  the  State  against  the  wilful  outcasts."  2 

Every  day  the  savages  brought  in  scalps  as  well  as  pris 
oners.3  Burgoyne  had  detachments  from  seventeen  nations 
of  Indians.  The  Ottawas  longed  to  go  home,  but  on  the 
oth  of  August,  nine  days  after  the  murder  of  Jane  McCrea, 
Burgoyne  took  frpm  all  his  red  warriors  a  pledge  to  stay 
through  the  campaign.4 

III.  BAUM'S  EXPEDITION.  —  Upon  leaving  the  lake  and 
proceeding  southward  by  land,  Burgoyne  found  his  progress 
greatly  impeded  by  want  of  horses,  carriages,  and  supplies. 
The  country  was  a  wilderness.  He  attempted  to  bring  for 
ward  his  artillery  and  stores,  and  to  open  the  way  from 
Skenesborough  to  Fort  Edward.  But,  so  effectually  had 
the  Americans  blocked  up  and  obstructed  the  road,  that 
the  British  army  was  frequently  twenty-four  hours  in  ad- 

1, 2, 3, 4  Bancroft. 


152  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

vancing  one  mile.  It  was  not  until  the  30th  of  July 
that  he  reached  and  fixed  his  head-quarters  at  Fort  Edward. 

Nothing  could  exceed  their  joy  upon  their  arrival  at 
the  Hudson.  They  flattered  themselves  that  their  diffi 
culties  and  toils  were  now  ended,  and  that  there  was 
nothing  before  them  but  a  safe  and  easy  inarch  to  Al 
bany,  and  thence  to  a  junction  with  the  British  army  at 
New  York.  But  there  was  still  much  land  carriage  to 'be 
accomplished,  and  the}'  had  not  the  carriages  necessary, 
nor  the  horses  nor  supplies.  On  the  arrival  of  the  army 
at  Fort  Edward,  the  great  object  of  immediate  attention 
was  the  bringing  up  the  transports  from  Fort  George. 
The  distance  was  about  sixteen  miles,  but  the  roads  were 
out  of  repair,  weather  unfavorable,  cattle  and  carriages 
scarce.  Many  of  the  latter  had  been  detained  to  drag 
boats  and  provisions  from  Ticonderoga  over  the  carrying- 
places  between  Lake  Chaniplain  and  Lako  George.  In  fact, 
there  had  also  been  serious  delay  in  getting  the  different 
divisions  of  horses,  collected  in  Canada,  through  the  des 
ert  between  St.  John's  and  Ticonderoga. 

It  was  soon  found  that,  in  the  situation  of  the  transport 
service,  the  army  could  barel}T  be  victualled  from  day  to  da}'.1 
Although  at  the  fall  of  Ticonderoga  Burgoyne  obtained 
not  less  than  1,748  barrels  of  flour,  and  more  than  seventy 
tons  of  salt  provisions,  and  also  a  large  drove  of  cattle 
which  had  arrived  in  the  American  camp  a  few  days  previ 
ous  to  their  retreat,2  Glich  (a  German  officer  in  the  Ben- 
nington  battle)  referring  to  a  time  just  before  the  setting  out 
of  the  Baum  expedition,  says,  "  Though  Burgoyne's  troops 
had  toiled  without  intermission  during  three  whole  weeks, 
there  was  in  camp  no  greater  stock  of  provisions  than 
promised  to  suffice  for  four  da}' s'  consumption." 

1  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition. 
*  2  Thompson's  Vermont. 


MILITARY  STORES   AT  BENNINGTON.  153 

The  idea  of  the  expedition  to  Bennington  originated 
in  this  difficulty.  By  intelligence  through  Gen.  Rieclsell, 
and  from  other  sources,  Burgoyne  had  learned  that  Ben 
nington  was  the  great  deposit  of  corn,  flour,  store  cattle, 
and  wheel  carriages  ;  that  it  was  guarded  only  by  militia ; 
"and  every  day's  account"  —so  he  states  —  "tended  to 
confirm  the  persuasion  of  the  loj^alty  of  one  description  of 
the  inhabitants,  and  the  panic  of  the  other."  1 

Besides,  there  was  need  of  horses,  not  only  for  the  trans 
port  service,  but  also  for  fighting.  Riedseli's  dragoons 
were  without  horses  and  needed  to  be  mounted.2 

Burgoyne,  with  the  approbation  of  his  officers,3  —  so  he 
said  before  the  Committee  of  the  House  of  Commons,  —  re 
solved  upon  an  expedition  to  capture  the  Bennington 
military  stores.  The  particular  purpose  of  the  expedition, 
namely,  Bennington  and  its  storehouse,  was  to  be  kept  secret 
as  long  as  possible,  and  an  impression  was  to  be  made  that 
Burgoyne  was  about  to  break  camp  and  start,  with  his 
army,  for  Boston,  in  order  to  conceal  the  main  part  of  his 
general  plan,  which  was  to  effect  a  junction  with  Howe, 
who  AY  as  at  New  York.  The  true  scope  of  the  particular 

i  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition. 

"  This  want  of  necessaries  "  (iu  Burgoyne's  camp)  "  was  the  more  mortifying, 
as  the  Provincial  (New  England)  camp  was  furnished  with  them  in  greatest 
abundance.  .  .  .  Here  a  copious  magazine  had  been  formed  for  the  Provin 
cial  army."  —  Andrews,  London,  1780.  "The  enemy"  (Americans)  "received 
large  supplies  from  the  New  England  provinces,  which,  passing  the  upper  part  of 
the  Connecticut  River,  took  the  route  to  Manchester,"  .  .  .  "until  they 
were  at  length  deposited  at  Bennington,  whence  they  were  conveyed,  as  occasion 
required,  to  the  regular  army."  .  .  .  "It  (Bennington)  was,  however,  at 
this  time,  beside  being  a  store  for  cattle,  a  depot  for  large  quantities  of  corn  and 
other  necessaries;  and,  what  rendered  it  an  object  of  particular  attention  to 
the  royal  army,  a  large  number  of  wheel  carriages,  of  which  they  were  in  par 
ticular  want,  were  laid  up  there."  — Impartial  History  of  the  War,  London,  1787. 
See,  also,  Glick's  Narrative. 

%  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition.  — The  testimony  before  the  Committee 
of  the  House  of  Commons  shows  that  Burgoyne  acted  with  the  approbation  of 
his  officers,  only  that  Gen.  Frazer,  a  British  officer,  thought  British  soldiers  bet 
ter  than  German  for  the  purpose. 


154  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

expedition  now  in  hand  was  not,  however,  merely  to  cap 
ture  the  block-house  at  Bennington,  but  also  to  scour  a 
wide  circuit  of  the  country.  The  instructions  he  gave  to 
the  commander  of  the  expedition  were,  to  try  the  affections 
of  the  country ;  to  disconcert  the  counsels  of  the  enemy ; 
to  mount  Riedsell's  dragoons ;  to  complete  Peters'  corps  of 
loyalists,  and  to  obtain  large  supplies  of  cattle,  horses, 
and  carriages  ;  to  scour  the  country  from  Rockingham  to 
Otter  Creek ;  to  go  down  the  Connecticut  River  as  far  as 
Brattleborough,  and  return,  by  the  great  road,  to  Albany, 
there  to  meet  Gen.  Burgoyne.  The  number  of  horses  to 
be  brought  was  thirteen  hundred  at  least.  They  were  to 
be  tied  in  strings  of  ten  each,  in  order  that  one  man  might 
lead  ten  horses.1 

With  all  the  elation  of  his  hopes  he  fitted  out  this  expe 
dition  with  much  care.  He  selected  for  its  nucleus  and  chief 
dependence  a  corps  of  Riedsell's  dismounted  dragoons,  — 
the  same  that  had  behaved  so  gallantly  at  Hubbardton, 
—  a  company  of  sharpshooters,  chosen  with  care  from  all 
the  regiments,  under  Capt.  Frazer,  —  a  most  excellent  offi 
cer; —  Peters'  corps  of  Loyalists,  to  be  swelled  as  they 
proceeded  ;  a  bod}'  of  Canadian  rangers  ;  Hanau  Artiller 
ists  with  two  cannon ;  a  hundred  and  fifty  Indians.  He 
placed  all  under  the  care  of  Lieut. -Col.  Baum,  a  skilled  and 
thoroughly  brave  German  officer.  To  these  troops  he, 
after  they  had  proceeded  on  their  way  a  little,  added  fifty 
chasseurs.  There  can  be  no  doubt  he  expected  his  column 
to  be  much  increased  by  the  accession  of  tories  along  the 
route. 

1  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition.—  "  You  will  use  all  possible  means  to 
make  the  country  believe  that  the  troops  under  your  command  are  the  advanced 
corps  of  the  army,  and  that  it  is  intended  to  pass  the  Connecticut  on  the  road  to 
Boston.  You  will  likewise  insinuate  that  the  main  army  from  Albany  is  to 
be  joined  at  Springfield  by  a  corps  of  troops  from  Rhode  Island."  — Burgoyne'a 
Instructions  to  Baum.  Also  Burgoyne  to  Col.  Skene. 


VERMONT  AROUSED.  155 

To  support  Col.  Baum  in  case  of  necessity,  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne  stationed  Lient.-Col.  Breyman  at  Battenkill,  twenty- 
two  miles  off  from  Bennington,  with  two  cannon  of  larger 
calibre  than  those  in  charge  of  Baum,  and  a  strong  body 
of  German  regulars,  Brunswick  grenadiers,  light  infantry, 
and  chasseurs. 

To  be  himself  more  advantageously  situated  to  render 
further  support  with  his  army,  if  there  should  be  need,  he 
moved  it  to  a  point  on  the  Hudson  opposite  Saratoga,  and 
encamped  there  on  the  side  of  the  river  toward  Bennington. 
When  Baum  had  started  on  his  way,  Burgoyne  rode  after 
him  and  gave  him  verbal  orders. 

IV.  VERMONT  AROUSED.  —  The  weight  of  gloom  at  this 
time  on  minds  devoted  to  the  American  cause  must  have 
been  indescribable.  But  nowhere  would  this  be  true  of 
patriots  and  brave  men  more  than  on  the  Hampshire 
Grants.  It  may  be  said  this  feeling  would  be  intensified 
at  Bennington. 

In  most,  if  not  all,  of  the  important  actions  recently  at 
the  North,  both  prosperous  and  adverse,  Bennington  had 
borne  a  part.  Upon  the  fall  of  Montgomery  and  defeat  of 
our  troops  before  Quebec.  Col.  Warner,  having,  within  a 
few  weeks,  honorably  discharged  his  regiment  of  Green 
Mountain  Boys,  at  the  call  of  Gen.  Wooster,  again  beat  up 
for  volunteers,  and  was  at  the  head  of  another  regiment 
marched  to  Quebec,  endured  the  rigors  of  a  winter  cam 
paign,  and  brought  up  the  rear  of  the  retreating  American 
army  in  the  coming  spring.  The  northern  portions  of  the 
Grants  being  then  exposed,  Bennington,  at  a  town  meeting, 
voted, 

"  To  raise  ninety  dollars  as  an  encouragement  to  those  who  may 
enlist  in  the  service  of  guarding  the  frontier  towns  in  the  Grants." 

It  was  also  "  voted  to  pay  those  who  went  a  little  time  be- 


156  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

fore  on  this  service  if  the  Continent  did  not."  Ticonderoga 
was  threatened  on  an  occasion  previous  to  its  surrender 
under  St.  Clair.  The  militia  of  Bennington  and  the  neigh 
boring  towns,  under  Col.  Moses  Robinson,  turned  out  en 
masse  and  marched  to  its  relief;  the  defence  of  the  fort  at 
this  time  was  successful.  Col.  Robinson  and  his  regiment 
received  the  official  thanks  of  Gen.  Gates. 

At  the  same  time  flour  was  wanted  for  the  subsistence  of 
the  army,  and  a  letter  on  that  behalf  was  addressed  to  Ben 
nington.  The  next  day  it  was  returned  for  answer,  that 
one  thousand  bushels  of  wheat  were  collected  and  being 
ground  at  the  mills  ;  though,  as  the  militia  had  left,  almost 
to  a  man,  it  would  be  difficult  to  get  what  they  had  on  hand 
conveyed.1 

Col.  Ethan  Allen  was  a  British  prisoner ;  Col.  Seth 
Warner,  as  we  have  seen,  had  been  defeated  at  Hubbard- 
ton. 

The  state  of  alarm  in  the  country  after  the  fall  of  Ticon 
deroga  and  the  defeat  at  Hubbardton  has  been  described  ; 
also  the  confident  hopes  of  Burgoyne  from  the  disaffection 
on  the  Grants  toward  the  Yorkers,  and  the  compromised 
situation  of  those  inhabitants  of  the  Grants  who  had 
sympathized  with  New  York.  There  was  an  impression  in 
Burgoyne's  mind  that  the  region  of  country  through  which 
he  was  passing,  and  especially  the  Hampshire  Grants,  be 
cause  of  their  hostile  relations  to  the  new  State  of  New 
York,  and  through  the  influence  of  New  York  with  the 
general  government,  was  ripe  for  defection  to  his  cause. 

Let  not  the  reader,  therefore,  conclude  that  Burgoyne's 
impressions 'on  this  subject  were  correct ;  or  even  that  our 
sturdy  Vermont  settlers  had  the  first  thought  of  shunning 
at  such  a  crisis  the  post  of  danger.  While  women  and 
children,  and  the  infirm,  and  some  timid  ones,  fled  in  large 

l  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


GETTING    A    FOOTHOLD.  157 

numbers  southward  for  safety,  the  profound  anxiety  of  the 
time  carried  with  it  this  most  significant  of  all  its  results : 
the  thorough  arousing  of  the  sturdy  dwellers  among  these 
green  hills  of  New  England  to  the  duty  and  necessity  of 
the  hour. 

It  is  not  too  much  to  say  that  it  was  this  spirit  thus 
thoroughly  in  earnest  that  turned  the  scale  of  victory  on  the 
heights  of  the  Walloomsac. 

To  this  spirit  Burgoyne's  menace  of  Indian  hostilities  was 
rather  an  exasperation  than  a  terror.  "  The  murder  of  Miss 
McCrea  resounded  throughout  the  land,  counteracting  all 
the  benefits  anticipated  from  the  terror  of  Indian  hostilities. 
Those  people  of  the  frontiers  who  had  hitherto  remained 
quiet  now  fled  to  arms  to  defend  their  families  and  fire 
sides.  In  their  exasperation  they  looked  beyond  the  sav 
ages  to  their  employers.  They  abhorred  an  army  which, 
professing  to  be  civilized,  could  league  itself  with  such 
barbarians ;  and  they  execrated  a  government  which,  pre 
tending  to  reclaim  them  as  subjects,  could  let  loose  such 
fiends  to  desolate  their  homes.  The  blood  of  the  unfortu 
nate  girl,  therefore,  was  not  shed  in  vain.  Armies  sprang 
up  from  it.  Her  name  passed  as  a  note  of  alarm  along  the 
banks  of  the  Hudson ;  it  was  a  rallying  word  among  the 
Green  Mountains  of  Vermont,  and  brought  down  all  their 
hardy  3Teomanry."  l 

V.  GETTING  A  FOOTHOLD.  —  In  estimating  the  influ 
ences  which  determined  the  result  of  the  Bennington  bat 
tle,  one  must  not  be  overlooked,  which  was  the  growth  of 
all  the  previous  history  here  of  our  early  settlers,  but  did 
not  get  complete  maturity  until  about  the  time  of  Burgoyne's 
invasion,  tlve  motive  of  building  up  upon  the  New  Hamp 
shire  Grants  a  separate  and  independent  State.  An  august 

1  Irving's  Life  of  Washington.    See  Timelier. 
14 


158  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

crisis  is  that  of  the  life  of  the  nation,  and  it  were  well, 
perhaps,  to  pause  longer  and  consider  it ;  and  to  see  how 
the  zeal  of  the  early  settlers  here  was  identical,  to  a  degree, 
with  their  zeal  for  their  country;  but  there  was  at  this 
time,  also,  a  crisis  in  the  life  of  this  community  and  this 
commonwealth. 

To  go  back  a  little  further,  now,  in  our  retrospect. 
Western  Vermont,  owing  to  its  intermediate  location  be 
tween  the  French  on  one  side  and  English  on  the  other,  in 
the  times  of  the  colonial  wars  had  been  a  great  thorough 
fare  and  battle-ground  for  both  sides,  and  so  its  permanent 
settlement  had  been  prevented.  The  same  course  had  pre 
vented  the  permanent  occupancy  of  this  part  of  the  country 
by  Indian  tribes  at  an  earlier  day  ;  they  crossed  these  val 
leys  and  roamed  stealthily  for  prey  up  and  down  these 
mountain  sides,  but  they  established  no  permanent  occu 
pancy.  The  ground  was  common  for  battle  and  thorough 
fare  between  tribes  never  for  long  at  peace  with  each  other.1 
The  country  here  had  remained  comparatively  destitute  of 
Indian  settlements,  as  it  afterward  was  of  French  or  Eng 
lish  colonists. 

A  new  order  of  things  opened  when  our  hardy  immi 
grants  of  1761  set  foot  upon  this  soil.  They  came  to  stay. 
They  brought  with  them  too  much  vigor  and  determination 
for  any  obstacle  or  foe  whatever.  It  requires  no  stretch  of 
imagination  to  see  that,  had  not  the  Green  Mountain  Boys 
determined  that  Burgoyne  should  not  cross  this  soil,  their 
beautiful  territory  would  have  again  become  mere  frontier ; 


1  "  The  scantiness  of  the  population  cannot  be  attributed  to  any  other  cause 
than  the  local  situation  of  Vermont  with  respect  to  the  various  Indian  nations, 
which  prevented  its  becoming  a  permanent  residence  for  the  red  man  in  earlier 
times,  and  afterward  prevented  its  being  settled  by  the  French  and  English  during 
the  colonial  wars."  —  Mr.  Houghton's  JMontpelier  address  on  the  life  of  Seth 
Warner.  See  Williams'  Hist.  Vermont,  1794,  p.  211  ;  also  Palfrey's  Hist.  New 
England;  also  Thompson's  Vermont,  P.  II.,  pp.  205,  207,  216. 


APPEALS    FROM    THK    COUNCIL    OF   SAFETY.  Io9 

a  disputed   territory  no   one   can  tell   how  long  between 
inimical  powers. 

This  appears  from  the  address  of  the  Council  of  Safety 
of  Vermont  to  the  Councils  of  Safety  of  Massachusetts  and 
New  Hampshire,  requesting  a  concentration  of  patriotic 
troops  for  the  defence  of  the  Western  Vermont  border 
against  Burgoyne.  In  that  address  the  Council  of  Safety 
said  :  — 

"  This  State  in  particular  seems  to  be  at  present  the  object  of 
destruction.  By  the  surrender  of  the  fortress  of  Ticonderoga,  a 
communication  is  opened  to  the  defenceless  inhabitants  on  the 
frontier,  who,  having  little  more  in  store  at  present  than  sufficient 
for  the  maintenance  of  their  respective  families,  and  not  ability 
immediately  to  remove  their  effects,  are  therefore  induced  to  ac 
cept  such  protection  as  is  offered  them  by  the  enemy.  By  this 
means  those  towns  which  are  most  contiguous  to  them  are  under 
the  necessity  of  taking  such  protection,  by  which  the  next  town 
or  towns  become  equally  a  frontier  as  the  former  towns  before 
such  protection ;  and  unless  we  can  have  the  assistance  of  our 
friends  so  as  to  put  it  immediately  in  our  power  to  make  a  suffi 
cient  stand  against  such  strength  as  they  may  send,  it  appears 
that  it  will  soon  be  out  of  the  power  of  this  State  to  maintain  its 
territory." 

Message  after  message  came  to  New  Hampshire  from 
outraged  Vermont  in  this  style  :  —  "  When  we  are  crushed 
and  cease  to  be  the  frontier,  you  must  be.  There  is 
no  frontier,  and  will  be  none,  except  where  there  are 
sufficient  troops  with  arms  in  their  hands  to  defend  it."  l 
The  action  of  the  Vermont  Council  of  Safety,  boldly  com 
mitting  the  State  as  a  barrier  of  the  bodies  of  her  citizens 
against  the  further  inroads  of  a  powerful  foe  flushed  with 
recent  and  uninterrupted  success,  was  taken  on  the  15th 
of  July.  1777  (the  day  that  BurgO3me  fixed  in  his  procla 
mation  for  the  affrighted  towns  and  people  to  come  in 

1  Butler's  Address,  referring  to  Stevens. 


160  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  make  their  submission  to  him).  It  was  only  six 
months  previously,  Jan.  15,  1777,  that  the  adjourned  con 
vention  was  held  at  the  Westminster  court-house,  which 
voted  (N.  C.  D)  :  — 

"  That  the  district  of  land  commonly  called  and  known  by  the 
name  of  New  Hampshire  Grants  be  a  new  and  separate  State, 
and  for  the  future  conduct  themselves  as  such." 

The  author  of  that  Declaration  of  Independence,  Dr. 
Jonas  Faj7",  was  a  Bennington  man  and  member  of  the 
Council  of  Safety. 

VI.  PREPARATIONS  TO  MEET  THE  ENEMY.  —  The  appeals 
of  the  Vermont  Council  of  Safety  to  those  of  Massachusetts 
and  New  Hampshire  have  been  noticed.  Their  efforts  were 
not  relaxed  ;  nor  were  they  the  only  ones  that  Vermont  put 
forth. 

When  the  loss  of  Ticonderoga  was  known,  agents  were 
appointed  by  the  Vermont  Convention  to  procure  arms  to 
the  amount  of  four  thousand  pounds  sterling.  Within  a 
week  their  agents  had  been  in  Connecticut,  and,  failing  of 
success  there,  had  set  out  for  Massachusetts.  All  arms  found 
in  the  possession  of  tories  in  Vermont  were  seized.  Their 
propert}r  also  was  confiscated  to  fill  the  military  chest.  One 
hundred  and  fifty  stand  of  arms  had  been  recently  presented 
to  Vermont  by  Massachusetts,  and  an  equal  number  sold 
among  the  Green  Mountains  by  Charles  Phelps,  of  Marl- 
borough.  Massachusetts  had  also  furnished  New  Hamp 
shire  with  five  tons  of  lead  and  five  thousand  flints.  When 
news  of  the  evacuation  of  Ticonderoga  was  brought  to  the 
Legislature  of  New  Hampshire,  the  speaker,  John  Langden, 
thus  addressed  them  :  — 

"I  have  three  thousand  dollars  in  hard  money.  I  will  pledge 
my  plate  for  three  thousand  dollars  more.  I  have  seventy  hogs- 


GENERAL    STARK.  161 

heads  of  Tobago  rum,  which  shall  be  sold  for  the  most  it  will 
bring.  These  are  at  the  service  of  the  State.  If  we  succeed  in 
defending  our  firesides  and  homes,  I  may  be  remunerated ;  if  not, 
the  property  will  be  of  no  value  to  me." l 

Stark  was  now  a  private  citizen.  The  comrade  of  Put 
nam  in  the  French  war,  and  at  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill 
(where  he  defended  light  breastworks  among  the  foremost 
in  service)  ;  a  brigadier  with  Washington  at  Trenton  and 
Princeton,  when  the  army  went  into  winter-quarters  at  Mor- 
ristown,  he  returned  to  New  Hampshire  on  a  recruiting  ex 
pedition.  Having  filled  his  regiments,  he  returned  to  Exe 
ter  to  await  orders,  and  there  learned  that  several  junior 
officers  had  been  promoted  by  Congress,  while  he  was  left 
out  of  the  list.  Soured  with  government,  he  had  retired 
from  service.  He  was  upon  his  farm  in  New  Hampshire ;  2 
and  his  name  was  a  tower  of  strength  among  the  Green 
Mountain  Boys.  The  Legislature  of  New  Hampshire  offered 
him  the  command  of  the  forces  they  were  to  raise.  Laying 
aside  his  private  griefs,  he  once  more  donned  his  armor,  and 
went  to  the  field ;  stipulating,  however,  that  he  should  not 
be  obliged  to  join  the  main  army,  but  hang  upon  the  wing 
of  the  enemy  in  our  own  borders,  and  strike  when  opportu 
nity  should  offer.  Joy  pervaded  the  militia  when  their 
favorite  commander  was  announced  as  their  chief.  They 
cheerfully  flocked  to  his  standard,  which  he  raised  first  at 
Charlestown  (No.  Four,  on  the  Connecticut  River),  and  then 
at  Manchester,  twenty  miles  north  of  Bennington. 

At  Manchester,  Gen.  Lincoln  met  Stark,  and  had  orders 
from  Schuyler,  then  major-general  of  the  northern  depart 
ment,  stationed  at  Albany,  to  conduct  him  and  his  recruits 
to  the  Hudson.  Stark  positively  refused  to  go,  and  exhib 
ited  the  written  terms  upon  which  he  had  consented  to  ap- 

1  Butler,  referring  to  Stevens's  Papers,  and  Everett's  Life  of  Stark. 

2  Irving's  Life  of  Washington. 

14* 


162  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

pear  in  the  field  at  all.  His  refusal  was  communicated  to 
Congress  ;  and  that  body  resolved  that  the  Assembly  of  New 
Hampshire  should  be  informed  that  the  instructions  they 
had  given  Gen.  Stark  were  "  destructive  of  military  subor 
dination,  and  highly  prejudicial  to  the  common  cause  ; "  and 
the  Assembly  was  desired  "  to  instruct  Gen.  Stark  to  con 
form  himself  to  the  same  rules  which  other  general  officers 
of  the  militia  were  subject  to  whenever  they  were  called 
out  at  the  expense  of  the  United  States."  Stark,  however, 
remained  immovable  in  his  purpose  to  pursue  an  indepen 
dent  course,  and  be  at  liberty  to  use  his  own  discretion  as 
to  where  to  go  and  when  to  strike. 

The  time  upon  which  we  now  raise  the  curtain  is  antece 
dent  to  any  definite  knowledge  of  Burgoyne's  designs  upon 
the  storehouse.  At  the  head-quarters  of  Gen.  Sclnryler,  no 
doubt,  there  was  profound  ignorance  on  the  subject ;  for,  as 
we  have  seen,  he  sent  Gen.  Lincoln  to  bring  Gen.  Stark  and 
his  militia  out  of  New  England  to  the  Hudson.  "  After  the 
disaster  at  Hubbardton,  Gen.  Schuyler's  first  orders  were 
that  the  Vermont  militia  should  repair  to  his  camp  ;  though, 
when  remonstrated  with,  he  allowed  them  to  remain  for  the 
defence  of  their  families,  and  said,  ;  I  had  forgotten  to  give 
orders  about  the  security  of  the  people  on  the  Grants.' "  l 

Gen.  Stark's  superior  sagacity,  or  better  means  of  infor 
mation,  appears  in  this,  that  he  wrote,  on  July  29,  from  his 
head-quarters  on  the  Connecticut,  that  the  destination  of  the 
enemy  appeared  to  be  Bennington.  In  fact,  it  was  about 
July  29  that  Major-Gen.  Riedsell  conceived  the  purpose  of 
mounting  his  regiment  of  dragoons,  and  for  this  purpose 
proposed  the  expedition  under  Col.  Baum.2  "  I  am  in 
formed,"  says  Stark,  "that  the  enemy  have  left  Castleton, 
with  an  intent  to  inarch  to  Bennington."  How  decidedly  the 

1  Butler's  Address. 

2  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition. 


COUNCIL    OF  SAFETY.  163 

impression  obtained  that  Bennington  was  an  objective  point 
with  Burgoyne,  or  that  his  army,  or  any  portion  of  it,  would 
march  through  Bennington,  does  not  appear.  Up  to  the 
loth  of  August  Gen.  Stark  appeared  to  be  still  in  some 
uncertainty  whether  his  services  would  be  needed  in  that 
locality-,  or  he  should  rather  be  called  at  an  early  day  to 
march  elsewhere. 

However,  he  came  with  his  brigade,  seven  or  eight  hun 
dred  strong,  to  Bennington.1  He  was  here  as  early  as  Au 
gust  9,  and  encamped  about  two  miles  west  of  the  meeting 
house,  near  the  then  residence  of  Col.  Herrick,  more  lately 
known  as  the  Dimraick  place,  where  he  remained  for  five 
days,  collecting  information  in  regard  to  the  position  and 
designs  of  the  enemy,  and  consulting  with  the  Council  of 
Safety,  and  with  Col.  Warner  and  other  officers,  respecting 
future  operations.2 

As  time  wore  on,  and  the  designs  of  the  enemy  were  dis 
closed,  the  ever-faithful  Council,  holding  its  sessions  at  the 
Catamount  Tavern,  became  still  more  anxious  and  alert ; 
issuing  orders  for  the  effects  of  tories  to  be  sold  for  the  re 
plenishment  of  the  war  treasury  ;3  sending  swift  messengers 

1  Jesse  Field  to  Gov.  Hall. 

2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 

3  "  l\\\i  the  new  State  had  no  funds  or  established  credit;  and  to  raise  such  a 
force''  ["a  permanent  volunteer  force  to  patrol  the  frontiers,  and  watch  the 
domestic  as  well  as  foreign  foes"],  "without  pecuniary  means,  was  impossi 
ble.    The  difficulty  was  at  once  solved  by  a  resolution  of  the  Council  "  of  Safety, 
"  that  the  property  of  those  who  had  fled  to  the  enemy  should  be  m'ade  to  pay 
the  expense  of  defending  the  persons  and  property  of  those  that  remained.     In 
pursuance  of  this  resolution,  the  Council,  on  the  28th  of  July,  appointed  'com 
missioners  of  sequestration,'  with  directions  to  seize  and  dispose  of  the  property, 
under  certain  prescribed  regulations,  of  '  all  persons  in  the  State  who  had  re 
paired  to  the  enemy.'    A  proper  fund  for  State  use  being  thus  secured,  a  regi 
ment  of  rangers  was  soon  organized,  under  Col.  Samuel  Herrick,  which  did  effi 
cient  and  valuable  service  to  the  State  and  country.    '  This,'  says  Ira  Allen,  in 
his  history, '  was  the  lirst  instance  in  America,  of  seizing  and  selling  the  property 
of  the  enemies  of  American  independence;'  and  such  is  believed  to  be  the  fact, 
though  the  measure  was  afterward  pursued  iu  all  the  States."  — Early  Hist. 
Vermont,  p.  2(50. 


164  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

in  every  direction  for  men  and  material ;  even  giving  orders 
for  the  conduct  of  colonels  of  regiments.1 

The  first  entry  of  their  records  as  preserved,  is  as  fol 
lows  :  — 

"  Bennington.  — In  Council  of  Safety, 

August  15,  1777." 
(The  day  before  the  battle.) 

"Sra:  You  are  hereby  desired  to  forward  to  this  place,  by  ex 
press,  all  the  lead  you  can  possibly  collect  in  your  vicinity,  as  it  is 
expected  every  minute  an  action  will  commence  between  our. 
troops  and  the  enemy  within  four  or  five  miles  of  this  place,  and 
the  lead  will  be  positively  wanted. 

"  By  order  of  Council." 

(This  order  was  sent  with  all  speed  in  different  direc 
tions.) 

VII.  MOVEMENTS  BEFORE  THE  BATTLE.  —  Baum  en 
camped  at  Saratoga  on  August  11.  That  night  at  eleven 
o'clock  he  received  a  reinforcement  of  fifty  chasseurs.  On 
the  12th  he  started  on  his  march  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morn 
ing,  and  marched  a  mile,  when  a  messenger  from  Burgoyne 
ordered  him  to  post  his  corps  at  Battenkill  and  wait  further 
instructions.  On  the  morning  of  the  13th,  in  consequence 
of  orders  from  Burgo}7ne,  he  marched  from  Battenkill  to 
Cambridge,  and  arrived  at  the  latter  place  at  four  o'clock, 
p.  M.,  a  distance  of  sixteen  miles.  On  this  day's  march  he 
was  joined  by  several  of  the  country  people.2  During  this 
march  *he  also  sent  ahead  thirty  provincials  and  fifty 
savages  to  surprise  an  American  army-guard  with  some 

1  "  State  of  Vermont.— In  Council  of  Safety,  Aug.  10,  1777. 
"  To  Col.  John  Williams,— 

"  SIR  :  You  will  proceed  with  your  party  toward  the  lines,  and  if  the  enemy 
should  retreat,  you  will  repair  to  the  road  leading  from  St.  Cork  to  Hoosack, 
and,  if  you  make  any  discovery,  report  to  this  Council;  at  the  same  time,  you 
are  to  pay  proper  attention  to  the  road  leading  from  Hoosack  to  Fownal. 
"  By  order  of  Council, 

"  PAUL,  SPOONEK,  D,  Secretary." 
2  Glick. 


BAUM  AT  SANC01K.  165 

cattle,  of  which  he  had  received  information.  They  took 
live  prisoners,  and  continued  their  march,  when  they  were 
fired  on  by  a  party  of  fifteen  men,  and  returned  the  fire,  the 
assailing  party  taking  to  the  woods.  At  Cambridge  they 
took  some  cattle,  horses,  carts,  and  wagons  ;  and  Baum  sent 
back  from  this  place  a  dispatch  to  Burgoyne  that  he  had 
been  informed  the  Americans  were  eighteen  hundred  strong 
at  Bennington. 

The  affair  at  Cambridge  of  the  13th  was  immediately  re 
ported  to  Gen.  Stark,  at  his  head-quarters,  by  two  scouts  in 
the  employment  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  Isaac  Clark  and 
Eleazer  Edgerton.1  At  the  time  of  their  starting  home 
ward  with  this  intelligence,  however,  the  scouts  were  not 
apprised  of  the  approach  of  Col.  Baum,  and  merely  an 
nounced  the  advance  of  a  hostile  party  of  Indians  as  far  as 
Cambridge.  Gen.  Stark  sent  out  two  hundred  men,  under 
Lieut, -Col.  Gregg,  to  stop  them.2 

On  the  morning  of  the  14th,  Thursday,  Col.  Baum  reached 
Van  Schaik's  Mills,  and  found  Col.  Gregg's  party  in  pos 
session.  We  will  let  him  tell  his  own  story  with  respect  to 
what  took  place  there  :  — 

"  SANCOIK,  Aug.  H,  1777,  9  o'clock. 

"  SIR  :  I  have  the  honor  to  inform  your  Excellency  that  I  arrived 
here  at  eight  in  the  morning,  having  had  intelligence  of  a  party  of 
the  enemy  being  in  possession  of  a  mill,  which  they  abandoned  at 
our  approach,  but  in  their  usual  way  fired  from  the  btfshes,  and 
took  the  road  to  Bennington.  A  savage  was  slightly  wounded. 
They  broke  down  the  bridge,  which  has  retarded  our  march  about 
an  hour.  They  left  in  the  mill  about  seventy-eight  barrels  of  very 
tine  flour,  one  thousand  bushels  of  wheat,  twenty  barrels  of  salt, 
and  about  one  thousand  pounds'  worth  of  pearl  and  pot  ashes.  I 
have  ordered  thirty  provincials  and  an  officer  to  guard  the  provis 
ions  and  the  pass  of  the  bridge.  By  five  prisoners  here  they  agree 

1  Father  of  the  late  Uriah  Edgerton,  Esq. 

2  Jesse  Field  to  Gov.  Hall. 


166  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

that  fifteen  hundred  to  eighteen  hundred  men  are  in  Bennington, 
but  are  supposed  to  leave  it  on  our  approach,  I  will  proceed  so 
far  to-day  as  to  fall  on  the  enemy  to-morrow  early,  and  make  such 
disposition  as  I  think  necessary  from  the  intelligence  I  may  re 
ceive.  People  are  flocking  in  hourly  and  want  to  be  armed.  The 
savages  cannot  be  controlled ;  they  ruin  and  take  everything  they 
please.  "  I  am,  etc., 

"F.  BAUM. 
"To  Gen.  Burgoyne. 

"  Beg  your  Excellency  to  pardon  the  hurry  of  this  letter;  it  is 
written  on  the  head  of  a  barrel." 

• 

At  Sancoik,  Baum  began  to  be  seriously  molested.  A 
party  of  Americans  fired  on  them  a  good  deal  from  the 
underwood,  "  causing  them  some  loss  in  several  of  the 
most  forward  among  the  savages."  "At  last,  however, 
they  retreated,  abandoning  a  mill  which  they  had  pre 
viously  fortified,  and  breaking  down  the  bridge,  and,  long 
before  the  latter  could  be  repaired,  they  were  safe  from  fur 
ther  molestation."  "  The  Americans,  though  they  gave 
way  at  last,  fought  like  men  conscious  of  their  own  prow 
ess,  and  confident  in  the  strength  of  the  support  which  was 
behind  them ;  and  this,  coupled  with  the  rumors  which  had 
reached  us  relative  to  the  amount  of  the  garrison  at  Ben 
nington,  failed  not  to  startle  Col.  Baum,  and  the  boldest  of 
his  troops."  l 

More  complete  information  than  the  first  report  by  the 
two  scouts  reached  Gen.  Stark,  on  the  night  preceding  the 
14th  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  were  approach 
ing  in  the  rear  of  the  Indians.  On  the  morning  of  the 
14th  he  rallied  his  brigade  and  what  militia  was  at  Ben 
nington  and  vicinity  ;  sent  to  Manchester  for  Col.  Warner's 
men ;  issued  orders  for  all  the  militia  about  to  come  to  him 
with  all  speed,  and  forthwith  marched  to  meet  the  enemy. 

i  Click. 


BAUM   ON    THE    FIFTEENTH.  167 

Some  five  miles  on  his  way,  he  met  Col.  Gregg  retreating 
before  Col.  Baum,  and  drew  up  his  little  army  in  order  of 
battle. 

When  the  enemy  came  in  sight  they  halted  on  a  hill  or 
advantageous  rise  of  ground.  Gen.  Stark  sent  out  small 
parties  in  their  front  to  skirmish  with  them,  which  had  a 
good  effect.  He  killed  and  wounded  thirty  of  the  enemy 
without  any  loss  on  his  side  ;  but  the  ground  did  not  suit 
for  a  general  action.  He  marched  back  about  two  miles 
and  encamped ;  called  a  council,  and  agreed  upon  a  plan  of 
attack  for  the  next  day.  But  it  rained  the  15th,  and  he  did 
no  more  than  skirmish. 

We  will  condense  from  Glick's  narrative.  Baum  judged 
he  could  not  reach  the  place  of  destination  (Bennington 
storehouse)  before  sunset.  "  We  bivouacked  at  the  farm 
of  Walmscott"  (by  Walloomschoik  River).  The  15th, 
Baimi's  outposts  were  attacked  and  driven  in.  He  himself 
was  among  the  buildings  of  the  locality  with  his  regulars. 
He  formed  them  into  close  column,  and  sent  provincials 
and  sharpshooters  to  sustain  the  outposts.  "  On  seeing  us, 
our  savage  allies  uttered  a  yell,  which  seemed  to  strike  panic 
into  the  bosoms  of  their  assailants  ;  for  the  latter  instantly 
paused,  hung  back,  as  it  were  irresolute,  and  finally  re 
tired."  Americans  kept  up  skirmishing  attacks  all  day. 
Baum  sent  back  for  reinforcements,  and  commenced  to  for 
tify  to  await  them.  "  Six  or  eight  log-huts  made  up  the 
farm  of  Walmscott,  scattered  here  and  there."  "  Baum 
kept  the  whole  of  his  force,  with  the  exception  of  a  hundred 
men,  on  the  north"  (west)  "  side  of  the  stream,"  "holding 
the  road  upon  his  flanks,  and  in  front  and  rear,  by  the  In 
dians."  "  To  complete  his  arrangements,  he  occupied  the 
entire  clay  and  some  portion  of  the  night  of  the  15th." 
"  Rain  of  the  15th  in  torrents,"  "  to  afford  shelter  against 
which  human  ingenuity  has  as  yet  devised  no  covering." 


168  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  body  of  provincials  and  marksmen,  who  had  advanced 
to  assist  in  guarding  the  outposts,  silently  withdrew  and 
joined  the  regulars  in  the  breastworks,  and  there  passed 
the  night. 

Bauin  was  instructed  by  Gen.  Burgoyne  to  keep  his  ranks 
always  in  order,  with  military  precision,  and,  in  case  of 
meeting  an  enemy  that  threatened  to  be  too  strong,  to  post 
his  regulars  in  the  most  advantageous  position  for  defence, 
and  throw  up  entrenchments.  This  he  did,  selecting  an 
excellent  position,  and  making  the  best  possible  prepara 
tions  for  defence. 

He  had  the  Walloomsac l  River  (a  fordable  stream,  but 
liable  to  be  swollen  by  rains)  in  front ;  across  it,  in  front,  a 
cleared  bottom  land  and  slope  varying  in  width,  and  wil 
derness  beyond,  covering  undulating  hills,  which  rise  to  a 
general  elevation  of  considerable  height.  Across  these  up 
lands,  and  hidden  from  Baum  by  intervening  hills,  was 
Stark's  encampment,  some  two  miles  distant,  and  reached 
by  a  circuitous  road.  By  Durnford's  map  2  it  appears  the 
country  in  Baum's  front,  east  of  the  river,  was  extensively 
cleared,  also  southward  over  the  Cambridge  road,  and 
elsewhere  in  portions,  but  the  breastworks  on  the  hill  had 
woods  immediately  in  front  and  down  to  the  river,  also  on 
the  right  down  to  the  road,  with  the  exception  of  a  cleared 
lot,  and  an  unbroken  wilderness  on  Baum's  left  to  the 
northward,  and  on  his  rear  to  the  westward. 

The  hill  selected  for  the  main  defence  was  high  and  ab 
rupt,  rising  some  three  or  four  hundred  feet,  and  washed  at 
its  base  by  the  river,  running  here  very  nearly  south.  The 
Cambridge,  or  Sancoik,  road  from  Bennington  runs  here 
nearly  eastwardly,  until  it  has  crossed  the  run,  making 

1  The  same  called  Walmscott  by  Glick;  Wallumscoik  by  others. 

2  Map  of  Lieut.  Durnford,  Col.  Baum's  Engineer,  and  published  in  Burgoyue's 
State  of  the  Expedition. 


GENERAL    STARTS   FORCE.  169 

nearly  a,  right  angle  with  the  river,  with  a  steep  ascent  from 
the  road  to  the  redoubt.  Baum's  main  intrenchment  was 
at  the  highest  elevation  on  this  hill. 

According  to  Durnford's  map,  within  the  main  fortifica 
tion  were  Riedsell's  Dragoons  and  a  corps  of  Canadian 
Rangers  ;  some  paces  in  advance,  down  the  declivity,  were 
also  stationed  some  of  Riedsell's  Dragoons  ;  at  the  foot  of 
the  hill  in  front,  by  the  river,  chasseurs  were  posted.  Bjr 
the  river  to  the  right,  at  the  bridge  of  the  Sancoik  road, 
and  on  both  sides  of  the  road,  were  minor  fortifications, 
where  were  Canadian  Rangers  and  German  Grenadiers  ;  over 
the  river,  and  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  distant  on  rising 
ground,  were  also  considerable  fortifications,  and  here  Baum 
posted  Peters'  corps  of  Provincials.  It  was  called  the  tory 
breastwork.  Here  Pfister,  popularly  known  as  Col.  Pfister, 
a  retired  British  lieutenant  of  the  French  War,  is  believed 
to  have  had  immediate  command.1  This  tory  breastwork 
was  nearly  south-east  of  Baum's  intrenchments  on  the  hill, 
and  at  a  considerably  lower  elevation. 

According  to  Durnford's  map  he  also  had  Canadians  at 
the  river  across  the  bridge;  and  down  the  hill  on  his  right, 
near  the  Sancoik  road,  and  a  quarter  of  a  mile  west  of  the 
bridge,  some  grenadiers.  His  fortifications  and  breastworks 
are  stated  to  have  been  of  earth  and  timbers,  in  perfecting 
which  he  employed  much  of  the  day  and  night  of  the 
loth.  The  precise  location  of  the  artillery  and  cannon 
does  not  certainly  appear.  They  were  doubtless  so  dis 
posed  as  to  render  most  effective  service.  One  or  both  of 
the  cannon  was  within  the  main  redoubt  on  the  hill  during 
the  severest  part  of  the  struggle.  . 

These  were  the  defences  and  militaiy  preparations  which 
Gen.  Stark,  with  the  advice  of  Col.  Warner  and  the  other 
officers,  determined  to  attack  on  the  16th. 

1  Vermont  Historical  Magazine. 
15 


170  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

"  His  force  consisted  of  three  regiments  of  New  Hamp 
shire  militia,  respectively  commanded  by  Colonels  Hubbard, 
Stickney,  and  Nichols  ;  a  small  body  of  militia  from  the 
east  side  of  the  mountains,  under  Col.  William  Williams, 
of  Wilmington  ;  a  corps  of  rangers  then  forming  under  the 
authority  of  the  Vermont  Council  of  Safet}^  commanded  by 
Col.  Herrick ;  a  body  of  militia  from  Bennington  and  its 
vicinity,  Nathaniel  Brush,  colonel,  of  which  there  were  two 
companies  from  Bennington,  the  one  commanded  by  Capt. 
Samuel  Robinson,  and  the  other  by  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey. 
He  had  just  been  joined  by  part  of  a  militia  regiment  from 
Berkshire  County,  under  Col.  Simmons,  making  his  whole 
force  to  amount,,  probably,  to  about  eighteen  hundred 
men."  l  This  estimate  would  include  volunteers.  Gen. 
Stark  speaks  of  his  little  army. 

The  plan  of  attack  was  as  follows :  Col.  Nichols,  with 
two  hundred  men,  taking  a  wide  circuit  through  the  woods 
northward  of  Baum's  redoubt,  was  to  get  upon  the  rear  of 
his  left  undiscovered  to  the  last  moment  possible  by  him. 
Col.  Herrick,  with  three  hundred  men,  taking  a  wide  circuit 
southward,  was  to  get  in  like  manner  upon  the  rear  of 
Baum's  right.  These  two  to  join  and  commence  the  attack. 
Meantime,  to  divert  attention  from  that  proceeding,  upon 
the  success  of  which  everything  else  very  much  depended, 
Colonels  Hubbard  and  Stickney  were  to  get  before  the  tory 
breastwork,  and  one  hundred  men  to  march  toward  the 
front  of  Baum  ;  Gen.  Stark,  with  the  remainder  of  his  force, 
was,  at  the  right  time,  to  charge  Baum's  intrenchments  in 
front. 

VIII.  THE  BATTLE. — The  plan  appears  to  have  been 
carried  out  with  remarkable  completeness.  As  the  orders 
were  given,  and  the  several  parties  were  about  to  enter 

1  Vermont  Historical  Magazine. 


STATEMENT   OF  SILAS    WALBRIDGE.  171 

upon  the  performance  of  the  duties  severally  assigned  them, 
Gen.  Stark  in  his  saddle,  pointing  in  the  direction  of  the 
enen\y,  made  this  laconic  address  :  "  THERE  ARE  THE  RED 
COATS,  AND  THEY  ARE  OURS,  OR  THIS  NIGHT  MOLLY  STARK 
SLEEPS  A  WIDOW." 

On  the  map  before  mentioned  the  positions  severally  of 
Stark's  men  before  the  action  had  commenced,  or  before  it 
had  proceeded  far,  appear  to  be  represented.  Bodies  of 
Americans  are  well  advanced  on  the  road  leading  south 
westerly  to  Baum's  front ;  another  body  of  our  troops  have 
approached  near  to  the  tory  breastwork,  advancing  in  a 
north-westerly  direction  ;  a  body  of  Americans  are  also 
near  the  grenadiers  and  tories,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  back  on 
the  Sancoik  road  ;  and  Nichols  on  one  side,  and  Herrick  on 
the  other,  have  reached  the  coveted  position  in  the  rear  of 
Baum's  main  iiitrenchments.  After  Nichols  had  started  for 
his  post  he  sent  back  to  Stark  for  a  reinforcement  of  a  hun 
dred  men,  and  they  were  furnished  him. 

Gen.  Stark  says,  "  About  three  o'clock  we  got  all  ready 
for  the  attack."  The  time  previously  to  this  must  have 
been  improved  b}'  Colonels  Nichols  and  Herrick  getting 
round  to  the  rear  of  Baum's  works ;  and  by  manoeuvres 
and  reconnoitering  of  Gen.  Stark  in  front. 

Silas  Walbridge,  who  was  in  Capt.  John  Warner's 
(brother  of  Seth  Warner)  company  and  Col.  Herrick's  reg 
iment  of  Vermont  Rangers,  and  went  with  Col.  Herrick, 
says1  they  went  from  Stark's  encampment  "west  across 
the  river  (the  Walloomsac  flows  northerly  past  the  place 
of  encampment,  then  curves  westward,  and  soon  takes  a 
southerly  direction  past  Baum's  hill,  and  onward  a  short 
distance  curves  again  westward,  and  so  passes  by  Sancoik), 
crossed  it  again  below  Sickle's  Mills  (brick  factory,  now 
Austin  &  Patchin's  paper  mill,  a  mile  and  a  half  westward 

1  MS.  statement  communicated  to  Governor  Hall. 


172  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

from  Baum's  Hill,  on  the  Sancoik  road),  and  came  in  on 
the  rear  of  the  Hessian  redoubt." 

"  Just  before  we  arrived  at  the  redoubt  we  came  in  sight  of  a 
party  of  Indians,  and  fired  on  them.  They  retreated  to  the  north 
west,  leaving  two  killed.  Our  men  came  within  ten  or  twelve  rods 
of  the  redoubt,  and  began  firing  from  behind  logs  and  trees,  and 
continued  firing  and  advancing  until  the  Hessians  retreated  out  of 
their  works  and  down  the  hill  to  the  south.  We  followed  on  down 
the  hill  to  the  level  land  on  the  river,  and  some  pursued  on  fur 
ther." 

0 

Jesse  Field,  who  was  in  Capt.  Dewey's  company  of  mi 
litia,  and  went  also  with  Col.  Herrick,  says1  they  "  crossed 
the  river  over  against  the  camp,  went  over  the  hills,  forded 
the  river  again  below  the  enemy,  and  came  up  on  their  rear." 

"  When  we  came  in  sight  of  the  enemy's  works  we  halted,  and 
it  seemed  that  the  rear  of  our  party  had  been  detained  for  some 
cause.  We  stood  but  a  short  time  when  the  firing  commenced 
from  the  party  on  the  north.  1  recollect  hearing  Lieut. ex 
claim,  '  My  God,  what  are  we  doing?  They  are  killing  our  broth 
ers  ;  why  are  we  not  ordered  to  fire  ? '  In  a  moment  our  adjutant 
came  up  and  ordered  us  to  advance.  We  pressed  forward,  and  as 
the  Hessians  rose  above  their  works  to  fire,  we  discharged  our 
pieces  at  them." 

Solomon  Safford  states  2  that  he  turned  out  with  Capt. 
Samuel  Robinson's  company,  and  encamped  with  them  the 
evening  of  the  loth  at  the  bend  of  the  river,  half  a  mile  north 
of  Stark's  encampment,  and  was  ordered  to  remain  behind 
and  guard  the  knapsacks  and  other  baggage  during  the 
16th.  On  the  morning  of  the  battle,  after  the  company  had 
started  off  with  Col.  Herrick,  Gen.  Stark  and  Col.  Warner 
rode  past  him  on  horseback,  and  accosted  him." 

Thomas  Mellen,  the  veteran  whose  statement  is  given  in 
Mr.  Butler's  address,  says  :  — 

i,2  From  MS.  statements  communicated  to  Governor  Hall. 


TfMK    OF    TRE    FIRST   ACTION.  173 

''Stark  and  Warner  rode  up  near  the  enemy  to  reconnoitre; 
were  fired  at  with  the  cannon,  and  carne  galloping  back.  Stark 
rode  with  shoulders  bent  forward,  aud  cried  out  to  his  men : 
'Those  rascals  know  that  I  am  an  officer;  don't  you  see  they 
honor  me  with  a  big  gun  as  a  salute?'  We  were  marched  round 
and  round  a  circular  hill  till  we  were  tired.  Stark  said  it  was  to 
amuse  the  Germans.  All  the  while  a  cannonade  was  kept  up  upon 
us  from  their  breastworks.  It  hurt  nobody,  and  it  lessened  our 
fear  of  the  great  guns.  After  a  while  I  was  sent,  with  twelve  oth 
ers,  to  lie  in  ambush  on  a  knoll  a  little  north,  and  watch  for  tories 
on  their  way  to  join  Baum.  Presently  we  saw  six  coming  toward 
us,  who,  mistaking  us  for  tories,  came  too  near  to  escape.  We 
disarmed  them,  and  sent  them  under  a  guard  of  three  to  Stark. 
While  I  was  on  the  hillock,  I  espied  one  Indian  whom  I  thought  I 
could  kill,  and  more  than  once  cocked  my  gun,  but  the  orders  were 
not  to  fire.  He  was  cooking  his  dinner,  and  now  and  then  shot 
at  some  of  our  people." 

Silas  Walbriclge  speaks  of  the  troops  at  Stark* s  encamp 
ment  as  parading  early  on  the  morning  of  the  16th  for 
battle. 

There  was  then  no  lack  of  activity  on  our  side.  All  were 
on  the  alert  from  early  morning,  but  there  was  little  if  any 
firing  by  our  men  until  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  ; 
but  the  enemy  kept  up  firing  all  day  upon  us  whenever  we 
showed  ourselves  to  them,  and  where  they  were  not  deceived 
to  think  we  were  tories  advancing  to  join  them. 

Gen.  Stark  says,  "The  action  lasted  two  hours."  He 
appears  to  mean,  from  the  commencement  of  firing  by 
Nichols  until  the  fight  ended  on  the  plain  below.  The 
manuscript  statements  of  S  afford,  Walbridge,  and  Field 
do  not,  perhaps,  conflict  with  this,  though  they  seem  to 
make  the  time  shorter.  If  there  is  any  real  discrepancy,  it 
probably  shows  that  to  unprofessional  soldiers  fighting  so 
severely  and  with  so  much  at  stake,  the  time  in  the  recol 
lection  of  many  years  afterward  appeared  to  be  shorter 
than  it  really  was.  They  had  ir>t  anticipated  getting  their 
16* 


174  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

work  done  so  quickly.  When  the  order  came  to  go  over 
the  breastworks  it  was  then  probably  but  a  few  moments 
ere  the  Hessians  were  dislodged.  When  that  was  done  it 
seemed  to  our  men  as  if  really  all  was  done. 

Jacob  Safford,  orderly  sergeant  in  Warner's  regiment, 
afterward  ensign,1  says  :  — 

"  Should  think  the  action  at  Baum's  Hill  one  and  a  half  hour  of 
scattering  fire,  then  twenty-five  to  thirty  minutes  of  close  work." 

The  onset  upon  all  the  works  appears  to  have  been 
simultaneous  ;  and  the  tory  breastworks  and  other  detached 
fortifications  to  have  been  carried  early  in  the  action, 
though  particular  accounts  of  this  portion  of  the  day's 
work  are  wanting.  But  if  the  outworks  were  carried  with 
comparative  ease,  it  was  not  so  with  the  main  intrench- 
ments,  those  on  the  hill,  where  was  Col.  Baum  in  person 
and  his  faithful  veterans.  They  were  slow  to  believe  they 
were  to  be  vanquished.  They  kept  their  cannon  at  work. 
They  lined  the  breastworks.  Nevertheless,  our  brave 
fellows,  no  less  in  earnest,  pressed  up  upon  every  side. 
The  instant  or  place  of  first  entrance  of  the  redoubt  by  our 
men  does  not  now  appear.  It  will  assist  to  a  more  com 
plete  impression  of  the  battle  to  introduce  here  further  por 
tions  from  Glick's  interesting  narrative  :  — 

"The  morning  of  the  16th  rose  beautifully  serene.  The 
storm  of  the  preceding  day  having  expended  itself,  not  a  cloud 
was  left  to  darken  the  heavens,  while  the  very  leaves  hung 
motionless,  and  the  long  grass  waved  not,  under  the  influence  of 
a  perfect  calm.  Every  object  around  appeared,  too,  to  peculiar 
advantage ;  for  the  fields  looked  green  and  refreshed,  the  river 
was  swollen  and  tumultuous,  and  the  branches  were  all  loaded 
with  dew-drops,-  which  glistened  in  the  sun's  early  rays  like  so 
many  diamonds.  Nor  would  it  be  possible  to  imagine  any  scene 
more  rife  with  peaceful  and  even  pastoral  beauty.  Looking  down 

2  MS.  communication  to  Governor  Hall. 


GLICK'S  NARRATIVE.  175 

from  the  summit  of  the  rising  ground,  I  beheld  immediately  be 
neath  me  a  wide  sweep  of  stately  forest,  interrupted  at  remote 
intervals  by  green  meadows,  or  yellow  corn  fields,  whilst  here  and 
there  a  cottage,  or  shed,  or  some  other  primitive  edifice,  reared 
its  modest  head,  as  if  for  the  purpose  of  reminding  the  spectator 
that  man  had  begun  his  inroads  upon  nature,  without  as  yet  taking 
away  from  her  simplicity  and  grandeur." 

u  At  the  dawn,  no  note  of  military  preparation  forewarn 
ing  an  attack."  Baum  ordered  his  men  to  eat  their  break 
fasts.  Soon  reports  came  that  columns  of  armed  men  were 
approaching.  Col.  Baum  was  duped  to  believe  that  these 
were  friendly  tories,  and  called  in  his  pickets.  Capt. 
Frazer  thought  Baum  was  deceived,  and  so  did  most  of  the 
troops  ;  but  not  so  Baum.1 

"  We  might  have  stood  half  an  hour  under  arms,  watching  the 
approach  of  a  column  of  four  or  five  hundred  men,  who,  after  dis 
lodging  the  pickets,  stood  in  the  edge  of  the  open  country." 
"  Then  trampling  of  feet  in  the  forest  on  our  right." 

A  patrol  sent.  Encountered  a  discharge  of  fire-arms.  In 
dians  came  in  in  dismay. 

"Then  we  are  surrounded  on  all  sides." 

Then  firing  and  shouting.  Then  the  column  in  front 
pressed  up.  Then  traitors  inside  fired  at  the  dragoons,  and 
withdrew. 

"  We  lined  the  breastworks  and  fired  well ;  the  advancing  columns 
fell  back  at  first ;  but  fresh  attacks  developed  themselves  at  every 
point."  "All  threatened  with  a  force  perfectly  adequate  to  bear 
down  opposition,  and  yet  by  no  means  disproportionately  large,  or 
such  as  to  render  the  main  body  inefficient." 

The  Indians  fled,  when  in  the  rear  of  right  and  left  ap 
peared  the  enemy's  (Stark's)  columns.2 

1  Gen  Stark's  plan  of  the  day,  to  make  no  actual  assault  until  all  was  gotten 
ready,  probably  favored  this  hallucination  of  Baum. 

2  When  Col.  Nichols  commenced  firing,  coming  up  on  the  rear  left,  and  Col. 
Herrick  approached,  firing  on  the  rear  right,  the  Indians,  alarmed  at  the  pros- 


176  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

"  The  vacancy  which  the  retreat  of  the  savages  occasioned  was 
promptly  filled  up  by  one  of  our  two  field -pieces,  whilst  the  other 
poured  destruction  among  the  enemy  in  front  as  often  as  they 
showed  themselves  in  the  open  country  or  threatened  to  advance. 
In  this  state  of  things  we  continued  upwards  of  three-quarters  of 
an  hour.  Though  repeatedly  assailed  in  front,  flank,  and  rear,  we 
maintained  ourselves  with  so  much  obstinacy  as  to  inspire  a  hope 
that  the  enemy  might  even  yet  be  kept  at  bay  till  the  arrival  of 
Breyman's  corps,  now  momentarily  expected." 

The  solitary  tumbril  containing  all  the  spare  ammunition 
exploded  with  great  violence,  shaking  the  earth.  The 
enemy  (forces  of  Stark),  arrested  a  moment  by  the  vio 
lence  of  the  concussion,  guessed  the  nature  of  the  affair, 
then  rushed  up  the  ascent,  sprang  over  the  parapet, 
and  dashed  within  the  works,  —  baj^onet,  butt,  and  rifle 
in  full  play.  A  few  moments  finished  the  work.  Glick, 
with  thirty  of  his  comrades,  cut  their  way  through,  and  he 
escaped. 

It  is  presumed,  not  until  all  hope  of  recovering  the  day 
by  further  standing  their  ground  was  utterly  lost.  All  ac 
counts  agree  as  to  the  strange  valor  of  these  German  hire 
lings.  The  Royalists  and  Canadians,  as  many  as  could 
escape,  had  taken  to  the  woods  ;  but  the  Hessians,  though 
their  works  were  forced  and  their  cannon  captured,  pre 
served  their  discipline  and  fought  bravely  until  there  was 
not  a  cartridge  left,  then  drew  their  sabres  and  charged  the 
Americans,  with  their  colonel  at  their  head.  They  were 
nearly  all  killed  or  taken  with  Col.  Baurn,  who  did  not  sur 
render  until  wounded  fatally.1 

pect  of  being  surrounded,  endeavored  to  make  their  escape  in  single  file  be 
tween  the  two  parties,  with  their  horrid  yells  and  the  jingling  of  cow-bells. — 
Thacher. 

1  Andrews.  —  The  story  of  the  impressment  of  these  Hessians  into  the  British 
service  by  the  petty  sovereigns  of  Germany  is  an  affecting  one.  They  were 
gathered  by  force,  locked  up  in  fortresses  to  prevent  their  desertion,  marched 
to  their  place  of  embarkation  without  ammunition  or  arms,  but  under  the  com- 


BRAVERY   OF   THE   AMERICANS.  177 

Jesse  Field  says  : l  — 

They  '•  run  down  the  hill  to  the  south  and  south-east.2  We  ran 
over  and  round  their  works  after  them,  and  continued  the  pursuit 
until  they  were  all,  or  nearly  all,  killed,  or  taken.  The  day  was 
very  warm,  the  Hessians  were  in  full  dress,  and  very  heavily 
armed,  and  we  in  our  shirts  and  trowsers,  and  without  our  knap 
sacks,  and  thus  had  greatly  the  advantage  in  the  pursuit.  After 
we  passed  the  redoubt  there  was  no  regular  battle,  —  all  was  con 
fusion,  —  a  party  of  our  men  would  attack  and  kill,  or  take  prison 
ers,  another  party  of  Hessians.  Every  man  seemed  to  manage 
for  himself, 'and,  being  attached  by  chance  to  some  squad,  either 
under  some  officer,  or  without  any,  would  attack  every  party  that 
came  in  their  way.  I  should  think  I  did  not  continue  in  the  pur 
suit  over  half  a  mile,  though  some  parties  went  further, —  probably 
nearly  down  to  Rimsellan's  Mills." 

Gen.  Stark,  in  his  despatch  to  Gen.  Gates,  referring  to 
this  action  of  storming  the  redoubt,  says  of  it :  — 

"  The  hottest  I  ever  saw  in  my  life  :  it  represented  one  contin 
ued  clap  of  thunder." 

Again  : — 

"They  were  all  environed  with  two  breastworks  with  their  ar 
tillery;  but  our  martial  courage  proved  too  hard  for  them." 

He  is  also  quoted  as  saying,  "  Had  each  man  been  an 
Alexander  or  a  Charles  of  Sweden,  he  could  not  have  be- 

mand  of  trusty  yagers  who  had  both,  and  were  ever  ready  to  nip  mutiny  in  the 
bud.  Some  did  desert.  Some  attempted  to  mutiny,  and  were  fired  into.  It  was 
a  measure  of  cruel  and  base  tyranny  and  oppression.  — Bancroft,  vol.  ix.,  pp.  316, 
317.  "  England  entered  early  in  1776  into  treaties  with  the  petty  sovereigns  of 
Germany  to  take  into  British  service  nearly  twenty  thousand  German  troops. 
Over  four  thousand  of  them  were  Bruswickers.  Over  these  latter  Col.  Riedsell 
was  major-general  — a  portion  of  them  was  Lieut.-Col.  Baum's  regiment  of  dis 
mounted  dragoons ;  a  portion,  Lieut.-Col.  Breyman's  grenadiers.  Of  the  four 
thousand  Brunswickers,  about  twenty-eight  hundred  returned  to  Germany."  — 
Burgoyne's  Orderly  Book,  pp.  103, 104.  See  Irving's  Life  of  Washington,  ii.,  196 
Beside  the  subsidy  exacted  by  the  Germnn  princes,  they  were  to  be  paid  seven 
pounds,  four  shillings,  and  four  pence,  sterling,  for  every  soldier  furnished  by 
them,  and  as  much  more  for  every  one  slain.  —  Irving. 
1  MS.  statement.  '<*  After  being  forced  from  their  works. 


178  MEMORIALS    OF   A    CENTURY. 

haved  more  gallantly."  A  Hessian  eye-witness  declares 
that  this  time  "  the  Americans  fought  with  desperation, 
pressing  within  eight  paces  of  the  loaded  cannon  to  take 
surer  aim  of  the  artillerists."  l  Andrews,  the  British  au 
thor,  says  :  "  Gen.  Stark  advanced  upon  Col.  Baum  with 
the  utmost  diligence,  and  inclosed  him  on  all  sides.  The  de 
fences  he  had  raised  were  forced  after  a  valiant  resistance." 

Immediately  after  their  hard-earned  victory,  prisoners 
already  captured  were  to  be  sent  under  guard  to  a  secure 
place,  and  some  pursuit,  if  possible,  still  maintained  to 
effect  more  captures.  The  wounded  were  to  be  cared 
for,  —  persons  still  living  speak  of  beds  and  bedding,  sent 
out  for  this  purpose,  afterward  bearing  blood-stains.  Our 
dead  were  to  be  reverently  conveyed  to  their  homes.  Col. 
Baum  and  the  tory  Col.  Pfister,  both  mortally  wounded, 
were  separately  borne  to  a  house  a  mile  and  a  half  this 
side  of  the  battle-field,  Col.  Pfister,  a  part  of  the  way  on 
the  back  of  Jonathan  Armstrong,  of  Shaftsbury.  They 
both  died  within  twent}T-four  hours.  Capt.  Robinson,  who 
guarded  the  house  where  Baum  lingered  in  his  last  hours, 
and  watched  gently  as  a  woman  with  him  till  he  died,  was 
wont  to  say,  that  "  a  more  intelligent  and  brave  officer  he 
had  never  seen  than  this  unfortunate  lieutenant."  2  The 
spoils  of  victory,  too,  were  to  be  gathered.  Gen.  Stark  had 
promised,  in  his  orders,  that  all  the  plunder  in  the  enemy's 
camp  should  be  distributed  among  the  soldiers  ;  beside  all, 
many  of  our  brave  fellows,  neither  wounded  nor  slain,  were 
scattered  about,  thoroughly  exhausted  by  their  exertions  in 
the  fight. 

But   we   must   return   to   the   battle,  which  is   not  yet 

1  Irving's  Life  of  Washington.  —  "  New  England  sharpshooters  ran  up  within 
eight  yards  of  the  loaded  cannon  to  pick  offthecannoniers."  —  Bancroft,  quoting 
Schlb'zer's   Briefwechsel.      "  The  royal  officers  were  astonished  to  see  how  un 
dauntedly  they  rushed  on  the  mouths  of  the  cannon." — Gordon. 

2  Rev.  S.  Robinson's  Address. 


ARRIVAL    OF  BREYMAN.  179 

finished.  Bauiu  and  the  remnant  of  his  forlorn  hope  had 
probably  not  yet  ceased  fighting,  when  Breyman  arrived 
at  Sancoik  with  his  formidable  corps-de-reserve.  Each  sol 
dier  had  forty  rounds  in  his  pouch,  and  there  were  two 
boxes  of  ammunition  on  the  artillery  carts.1 

Brej'man  left  Battenkill  at  nine  o'clock  of  the  14th, 
his  order  to  march  having  been  received  by  Sir  Francis 
Clarke  at  eight  o'clock.  His  guide  lost  his  way  at  one 
time.  On  the  evening  of  the  15th  he  halted  seven  miles 
before  reaching  Cambridge.  The  men  lay  upon  their 
arms  all  night.  He  sent  a  message  to  Baum  and  got  a  re 
turn  next  morning.  He  started  again,  on  the  morning 
of  the  16th,  and  reached  the  Sancoik  mill  at  half  past 
four,  p.  M.,  and  found  the  advanced  guard  in  possession, 
which  he  had  previously  sent  on  —  (sixty  grenadiers  and 
chasseurs,  and  twenty  riflemen)  —  and  Col.  Skene  direct 
ing.  "I  had  scarcely  passed  the  bridge  when  I  perceived 
a  considerable  number  of  armed  men  making  for  the  hill  on 
my  left  flank,  some  in  jackets,  some  in  shirts.  Col.  Skene 
said  they  were  royalists,  but  they  fired  into  us."2  Here 
Col.  Breyman's  part  in  the  Bennington  battle  began  in 
earnest. 

Gen.  Stark's  men,  it  is  evident,  were  in  no  condition  to 
meet  this  fresh  and  more  powerful  foe.  It  is  said  it  was 
with  great  difficulty  he  himself  could  be  roused  to  meet  the 
new  danger,  so  worn  out  and  stiffened  had  he  become. 
Contrary  to  his  first  impression,  and  on  the  earnest  appeal 
of  Warner,  Col.  Breyman  was  immediately  resisted,  instead 
of  a  retreat  being  ordered,  to  form  the  scattered  forces  in 
order  of  battle.3 

They  opened  an  incessant  fire  from  their  artillery  and 
small  arms,  which  was,  for  a  while,  returned  by  the  Ameri- 

1  Breyman's  dispatch. 

2  Col.  Breyman's  dispatch. 

3  Vermont  Hist.  Mug. 


180  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

cans  with  much  spirit ;  but,  exhausted  and  overpowered  b}T 
numbers,  we  at  length  began  slowly,  but  in  good  order,  to 
retreat  before  the  enemy,  disputing  the  ground  inch  by 
inch.1  Firing  into  their  flank,  and,  at  the  same  time,  keep 
ing  in  front  of  them,  though  retreating,  and  firing  into 
them  that  way,  so  as  not  to  be  outflanked  by  them. 

Earl}-,  however,  in  this  unexpected  encounter  with  Bre}^- 
man,  Col.  Warner's  men  came  upon  the  field,  and  most  op 
portunely  indeed  for  our  cause. 

Warner  himself  was  already  here  ;  "  was  with  Stark,  at 
Bennington,  for  several  da}Ts  previously  to,  and  remained 
with  him  until  after,  the  battle,  assisting  him  in  planning 
the  first  and  conducting  both  actions."  2  His  regiment  (or, 
rather,  the  remnant  of  it,  it  having  been  sadly  wasted  at 
Hubbardton)  was  stationed  at  Manchester.  At  the  sum 
mons  of  Stark,  the  men,  about  one  hundred  and  thirty  in 
number,3  so  soon  as  they  could  be  collected  together, 
started  for  Bennington.  The}'  marched  the  rainy  night 
of  the  15th,  under  command  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Saf- 
ford ;  stopped,  the  forenoon  of  the  16th,  to  get  rested 
and  dried,  and  to  put  their  firelocks  in  order,  in  Benning 
ton,  and,  at  the  time  mentioned,  came  upon  the  field. 

Thus  reinforced,  it  was  some  little  time  before  we 
made  a  successful  stand  against  the  enemy.  The  day  had 
been  nearly  lost  ;4  nor  was  it  rescued  without  the  most  ar 
duous  and  critical  exertion.  We  had  Baum's  cannon  to 
turn  upon  them  ;  but  they  had  cannon  of  larger  calibre  ; 
and  our  brave  fellows  were  worn  out,  thinned  in  numbers, 
hungry,  taken  by  surprise,  and  not  in  battle  array. 

The  anxiet}'  in  the  old  village   of  Bennington  grew  in 

1  Thompson's  Vermont. 

2,  3  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.  William  Carpenter  of  Swansea,  N".  II.  —  so  his  son 
Judge  Carpenter,  of  Akron,  Ohio,  told  me  —  used  to  relate,  as  what  he  himself 
heard,  that  the  order  was  given,  by  Gen.  Stark,  to  an  aid,  to  retreat.  Warner 
heard  it, and  said,  "  Stand  to  it,  my  lads;  you  shall  have  help  immediately." 

4  Andrews. 


ORAL    STATEMENTS   AND   MANUSCRIPTS.  181 

intensity  as  the  day  wore  away.1  The  Council  of  Safety 
remained  in  painful  deliberation.  A  letter,  still  preserved, 
written  by  Secretary  Fay,  at  Bennington,  at  six  o'clock, 
and  sent  hither  and  thither,  as  a  circular  dispatch,  says  :  — 

"  Stark  is  now  in  an  action  'which  has  been  for  some  time  very 
severe The  enemy  were  driven;  but,  being  rein 
forced,  made  a  second  stand,  and  still  continue  the  conflict.  But 
we  have  taken  their  cannon,  and  prisoners,  said  to  number  four 
or  five  hundred,  are  now  arriving."2  Gen.  Stark,  in  his  dispatch, 
says,  "  The  battle  continued  obstinate  on  both  sides  till  sunset." 

But  again  "  our  martial  courage  proved  too  hard  for 
them."  Breyman's  cannon,  taken  and  retaken,3  remained  in 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  Breyman's  "  party  were  com 
pelled  to  retire  "  as  the  British  author  4  carefully  says.  They, 
however,  so  many  of  them  as  could,  retired  at  the  last  very 
hastily.  It  was  well  for  those  who  did  escape  that  night 
was  so  near  at  hand.  "We  pursued  them  till  dark,"  says 
General  Stark  ;  "  but,  had  daylight  lasted  one  hour  longer, 
we  should  have  taken  the  whole  bod}' of  them."  The  strug 
gle  of  that  eventful  day  may  be  said  to  have  ended  where 
it  the  da}^  before  began,  at  the  Sancoik  mill.  Breyman  got 
back  that  night  (of  the  16th)  to  Cambridge,  and  the  next 
day  (Sunday)  got  back  to  camp.5 

IX.  SOME  EXTRACTS  FROM  AN  ORAL  STATEMENT  AND  MS. 
COMMUNICATIONS. 

From  oral  statement  of  Mr.  Mellen.6  —  "Before  I  had  time  to  fire 
many  rounds,  our  men  rushed  over  the  breastwork,  but  I  and 
many  others  chased  straggling  Hessians  in  the  woods.  We  pur- 

1  Thompson's  Vermont.  Upon  the  alarm  of  the  approach  of  the  enemy  to 
ward  Bennington, ¥he  people  of  the  border  flocked  to  the  centre ;  as  did  also  num 
bers  from  other  towns.  The  place  was  crowded  with  fugitives.  —  Vermont  Hist. 
Mag. 

2, 3  Butler.  4  Andrews. 

5  Col.  Breyman's  dispatch.  6  See  Butler's  Address. 

1G 


182  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

sued  till  we  met  Breyman  with  eight  hundred  fresh  troops  and 
larger  cannon,  which  opened  a  fire  of  grape  shot.  Some  of  the 
grape  shot  riddled  a  Virginia  fence  near  me ;  one  struck  a  small 
white-oak  tree  behind  which  I  stood.  Though  it  hit  higher  than 
my  head,  I  fled  from  the  tree,  thinking  it  might  be  aimed  at  again. 
We  skirmishers  ran  back  till  we  met  a  large  body  of  Stark's  men, 
then  faced  about.  I  soon  started  for  a  brook  I  saw  a  few  rods  be 
hind,  for  I  had  drank  nothing  all  day,  and  should  have  died  with 
thirst  had  I  not  chewed  a  bullet  all  the  time.  I  had  not  gone  a 
rod,  when  I  was  stopped  by  an  officer,  sword  in  hand,  and  ready 
to  cut  me  down  as  a  runaway.  On  my  complaining  of  thirst,  he 
handed  me  his  canteen,  which  was  full  of  rum.  I  drank  and  for 
got  my  thirst.  But  the  enemy  outflanked  us,  and  I  said  to  a  com 
rade,  '  We  must  run  or  they  will  have  us.'  He  said,  '  I  will  have 
one  more  fire  first.'  At  that  moment  a  major  on  a  black  horse 
rode  along  behind  us,  shouting,  '  Fight  on,  boys,  reinforcements 
close  by.'  While  he  was  speaking,  a  grape  shot  went  through  his 
horse's  head  and  knocked  out  two  teeth .*"  It  bled  a  good  deal,  but 
the  major  kept  his  seat  and  spurred  on  to  encourage  others.  In 
five  minutes  we  saw  Warner's  men  hurrying  to  help  us.  They 
opened  right  and  left  of  us,  and  half  of  them  attacked  each  flank 
of  the  enemy,  and  beat  back  those  who  were  just  closing  around 
ns.  Stark's  men  now  took  heart  and  stood  their  ground.  My  gun- 
barrel  was  by  this  time  too  hot  to  hold,  so  I  seized  the  musket  of 
a  dead  Hessian,  in  which  my  bullets  went  easier  than  in  my  own. 
Eight  in  front  were  the  cannon,  and,  seeing  an  officer  on  horse 
back  waving  his  sword  to  the  artillerymen,  I  fired  at  him  twice; 
his  horse  fell.  He  cut  the  traces  of  an  artillery  horse,  mounted 
him,  and  rode  off.  I  afterward  heard  that  officer  was  Major  Skene. 
Soon  the  Germans  ran  and  we  followed." 

From  narrative  of  Jesse  Field. l  —  "  When  the  prisoners  were  col 
lected,  they  were  sent  off  under  a  guard  to  Bennington.  Our 
men  were  scattered  all  over  the  field  of  battle,  some  resting  them 
selves,  some  looking  up  the  dead  and  wounded,  and  others  in  pur 
suit  of  plunder.  An  hour  or  two  before  sunset  I  heard  the  report 
of  cannon,  and  news  soon  came  that  our  men  were  attacked  by  a 
body  of  Hessians  who  had  come  to  reinforce  *Baum.  I  with 
others  went  down  on  the  side-hill  north  of  the  road.  When  we 

1  Communicated  in  MS.  to  Gov.  Hall,  and  in  his  possession. 


NARRATIVE    OF  JACOB    SAFFORD.  183 

came  in  sight  of  the  enemy,  they  were  marching  up  the  road  this 
side  the  brick  factory,  their  cannon  in  front  clearing  the  way. 
Our  men  kept  collecting  in  front  and  on  the  left.  The  party  I  was 
with  took  post  with  others  on  the  side-hill  above  the  road,  within 
from  twenty  to  thirt}r  rods  of  the  enemy,  and  kept  np  a  constant 
tire  generally  from  behind  trees.  The  road  appeared  full  of  men, 
and  it  was  like  firing  into  a  flock  of  sheep.  The  enemy  kept  fir 
ing  upon  us,  but  we  were  greatly  protected  by  the  trees.  The  bat 
tle  continued  till  about  dark,  when  the  enemy  retreated  and  were 
not  pursued  far." 

From  narrative  of  Silas  Walbridge. l  —  "  After  the  battle  was 
over  I  went  back  with  Captain  Warner  to  where  the  action  began, 
to  look  for  the  wounded,  and  while  there  we  heard  firing,  the  begin 
ning  of  the  second  battle.  We  made  all  haste  to  the  scene  of 
action,  and  found  things  in  much  confusion.  Some  of  the  officers 
were  ordering  '  forward,'  others  saying  '  retreat.'  Our  men  re 
treated  for  some  time,  finally  made  a  stand,  and  after  hard  fight 
ing  till  about  night  wre  drove  the  enemy  and  took  their  cannon. 
This  battle  lasted  an  hour  and  a  half  or  two  hours.  Warner's 
regiment,  I  believe,  kept  in  order  on  the  retreat,  and  served  as  a 
rallying  point  for  the  other  troops." 

Copt.  Jacob  Safford's  statement,  taken  in  1828.  2  —  (Jacob  Saffbrd  after  Ben 
nington  battle  was  an  ensign  in  Col.  Warner's  regiment,  as  appears  by  a  vote 
of  Congress,  accepting  his  resignation  November,  18, 1770.  —  3d  vol.  Jour.  Cong., 
305.  He  was  a  worthy  man  and  died  in  Bennington  in  May,  1833.)  Jacob  Saf- 
ford  says  that  previous  to  liennington  battle  he  belonged  to  Warner's  regiment 
and  acted  as  orderly  sergeant  in  Captain a  company. 

"After  the  battle  of  Hubbardton,  by  which  our  regiment  was 
reduced  to  less  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  we  were  sta 
tioned  at  Manchester.  On  the  14th  of  August,  I  should  think, 
information  was  received  that  we  were  wanted  at  Bennington, 
but,  owing  to  the  absence  of  a  large  scout  under  Captain  John 
Chipman,  and  perhaps  from  some  other  causes,  we  did  not  march 
till  the  morning  of  the  15th.  The  day  was  rainy,  but  by 
marching  till  nearly  midnight  we  arrived  within  about  a  mile  of 
Bennington  village  and  encamped.  We  were  drenched  with  rain, 

1  Communicated  to  Gov.  Hall,  and  in  his  possession. 

2  Communicated  in  manuscript  to  Gov.  Hall,  and  in  his  possession;  and  the 
note  at  the  head  of  the  statement  is  his. 


184  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  our  arras  and  equipments  having  been  all  clay  exposed  to  the 
weather,  it  took  a  considerable  part  of  the  forenoon  of  the  next 
day  to  fit  ourselves  for  a  march.  We  were  also  short  of  ammuni 
tion,  which  occasioned  some  delay,  and  so  much  time  was  em 
ployed  in  making  the  necessary  preparations  for  battle,  that  it  was 
about  noon,  or  perhaps  a  little  past,  when  the  regiment  marched 
from  Bennington  village.  While  going  down  the  Henderson  hill 
[two  miles  from  Bennington]  a  scattering  fire  of  musketry  was 
commenced  in  the  direction  of  the  battle-ground.  We  halted  a 
short  time  at  Stark's  encampment  [four  miles  from  BenningtonJ  ; 
left  our  coats  and  knapsacks ;  and  a  gill  of  rum  with  water  was 
dealt  to  each  man.  The  weather  was  extremely  warm,  and  after 
crossing  the  first  bridge  [about  five  and  three-quarter  miles  from 
Bennington]  we  were  halted  while  the  men  drank  at  the  river. 
Two  sergeants  were  now  requested  to  volunteer  to  head  the  line, 
and  I  with  another  went  in  front.  About  this  time  the  firing, 
which  had  gradually  increased,  became  very  heavy,  and  a  general 
attack  seemed  to  be  made.  We  now  began  to  meet  the  wounded, 
and  when  we  arrived  at  the  second  bridge,1  [three-quarters  of  a 
mile  below  the  first],  the  Hessians  were  running  down  the  hill, 
and  the  two  pieces  of  cannon  were  taken.  If  we  halted  at  all  at 
this  place,  it  was  but  for  a  very  few  minutes.  Here  I  was  put  in 
command  of  the  left  flank  guard,  and  the  march  was  continued 
by  the  regiment  down  the  road,  and  by  myself  and  guard  across 
the  flat.  There  was  also  a  flank  guard  on  the  right.  We  con 
tinued  our  march  until  we  came  to  the  top  of  the  eminence  next 
beyond  where  the  brick  factory  now  stands  [one  and  a  half  miles 
below  the  second  bridge],  where  I  found  the  regiment  had  halted. 
On  inquiring  the  cause,  I  was  told  that  a  reinforcement  of  the 
enemy  was  near.  I  mounted  a  fence,  and  saw  the  enemy's  flank- 
guard  beyond  the  next  hill,  say  "half  a  mile  distant.  We  were 
then  ordered  to  form  a  line  for  battle,  by  filing  to  the  right;  but, 
owing  to  the  order  not  being  understood  in  the  rear,  the  line  was 
formed  by  filing  to  the  left,  which  brought  many  of  our  men  into 
a  sort  of  swamp,  instead  of  on  the  hill  above,  where  we  should  have 
been.  We,  however,  waited  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  and  com 
menced  firing  as  they  came  up ;  but  owing,  as  I  think,  to  the  un 
favorable  nature  of  the  ground,  we  soon  began  a  retreat,  which 
was  continued  slowly  and  in  good  order,  firing  constantly  for 
1  Since  known  as  Barnet's  Bridge. 


RESULTS    OF    THE   BATTLE.  185 

about  three-quarters  of  a  mile,  until  we  reached  the  high  ground 
west  of  the  run  of  water,  where  we  made  a  stand.  The  enemy 
had  two  pieces  of  cannon  in  the  road,  and  their  line  extended 
a  considerable  distance  both  below  and  above  the  road.  A  party 
of  Hessians  undertook  to  outflank  us  on  the  right,  and  partly  suc 
ceeded,  but  were  finally  repulsed  and  driven  back.  The  action 
was  warm  and  close  for  nearly  two  hours,  when  it  being  near 
dark  the  enemy  were  forced  to  retreat.  One  of  their  pieces  of 
cannon  was  taken  near  the  run,  and  the  other  a  few  rods  below 
the  brick  factory." 

X.  RESULTS  OF  THE  BATTLE.  —  In  these  two  engage 
ments  the  Americans  took,  according  to  Gen.  Stark,  "  four 
pieces  of  brass  cannon,  seven  hundred  stand  of  arms  and 
brass-barrelled  drums,  several  Hessian  swords,  about  seven 
hundred  prisoners,  two  hundred  and  seven  dead  on  the 
spot,  tlj£  number  of  wounded  j'et  unknown."  1  "  Lieut.- 
Col.  Baum,  one  major,  seven  captains,  fourteen  lieutenants, 
four  ensigns,  two  cornets,  one  judge-advocate,  one  baron, 
one  aide-de-camp,  one  Hessian  chaplain,  three  Hessian 
surgeons."  *  "  Our  loss  was  inconsiderable  ;  about  forty 
wounded  and  thirty  killed."  3 

Of  the  trophies,  one  Hessian  gun  and  bayonet,  one  broad 
sword,  one  brass-barrelled  drum,  and  one  grenadier's  cap, 
were  presented  to  each  of  the  States  of  Vermont,  New 
Hampshire,  and  Massachusetts.  Letters  of  thanks  were 
returned  by  these  States  to  Gen.  Stark. 

A  broadsword,  taken  from  Col.  Baum  on  the  field  of  bat 
tle,  by  Lieut.  Thomas  Jewett,  of  Capt.  Dewey's  company, 
afterward  purchased  by  David  Robinson,  Esq.,  is  now  in 
the  possession  of  G.  W.  Robinson.  A  set  of  draughting 
instruments,  a  map  of  the  route  from  St.  Johns,  along  the 
Lakes  Champlain  and  George  and  the  River  Hudson,  and 

1  Stark  to  Gen.  Gates. 

2  Stark  to  the  General  Court  of  New  Hampshire.  —  Dawson. 

3  Stark  to  Gates. 

16* 


186    •  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

a  lieut.-colonePs  commission  of  Col.  Pfister,  fell  into  the 
hands  of  one  of  his  two  capturers,  Jonathan  Armstrong, 
and  are  in  the  possession  of  his  grandson,  the  Hon.  L.  B. 
Armstrong,  of  Dorset.1  Of  the  cannon,  two,  doubtless 
those  of  Col.  Baum,  taken  at  the  redoubt,  rated  by  the  War 
Department  as  three-pounders,2  are  in  the  State  House  at 
Montpelier. 

The  remains  of  Col.  Baum  and  Col.  Pfister,  whose  deaths 
have  been  already  mentioned,  were  buried  near  the  bank  of 
the  river,  a  few  rods  below  the  paper-mill  of  Messrs.  Hun 
ter  &  Co.  There  is  nothing  to  mark  the  spot,  and  the 
place  of  their  interment  is  not  known.3 

Of  the  Hessian  prisoners  who  died,  many  were  buried  in 
a  place  still  kept  vacant  in  our  church-yard. 

The  tory  prisoners  were  marched  into  the  village  bound 
two  by  two.  The  women  took  down  their  bedsteads  to  get 
ropes  to  string  them  on.  They  were  a  care,  and  probably  a 
vexation,  to  the  Council  of  Safety  for  a  long  time.  Capt. 
Samuel  Robinson  was  chief  overseer  of  them.  There  are 
many  entries  concerning  them  in  the  records  of  the  Council 
of  Safety ;  one  to  Capt.  Robinson  to  detach  ten  of  them, 
under  proper  officers,  to  tread  and  beat  'down  the  roads 
(drifted  with  snow  in  January)  from  this  place  through  the 
Green  Mountains  to  Col.  William  Williams'  dwelling-house 
in  Draper,  alias  Wilmington  ;  and  back  again  "  in  the  same 
manner  to.  this  place,  with  all  convenient  speed."  By  an 
entry,  September  4,  1777,  it  appears  the  prisoners  were  in 
Capt.  Dewey's  barn,  or  some  of  them.  They  were  ordered 
to  be  removed  to  the  school-house;  "if  there  is  sufficient 
room  for  them  in  the  meeting-house  "  (probably  with  what 
are  already  there)  "  they  are  to  be  removed  to  the  meeting 
house  .in  lieu  of  the  school-house,"  —  always  with  a  proper 

l  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.  2  Butler's  Address. 

3  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


GENERAL   RESULTS    OF   THE    VICTORY.  187 

guard  over  them.  Some  were  put  on  the  limits  of  their 
own  farms  ;  some  were  banished  the  town  under  penalty  of 
death  if  they  should  return.1  Some,  it  is  said,  were  sent 
to  the  mines  at  Simsbury.2  The  number  of  tories  taken 
prisoners  has  been  stated  as  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven.3  * 

In  after  years  the  military  reputation  of  Bennington  rose 
high.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Avery  says  of  the  town,  in  his  Narra 
tive,  1783:  — 

"  In  regard  to  military  prowess  Bennington  is  thought  to  be  sec 
ond  to  none  on  the  continent." 

The  general  results  were  of  the  highest  possible  impor 
tance.  This  is  true  of  their  bearing  upon  the  infant  State 
of  Vermont. 

Gen.  Schuyler  was  a  haughty,  aristocratic  New  Yorker; 
owing  his  place  to  social  position,  not  to  military  talent, 
and  despising  New  England  ;  refusing  to  answer  an  official 
letter  of  Ira  Allen,  Secretary  of  our  State  government, 
without  addressing  him  as  a  private  man.4  Gen.  Stark 
was  ordered  to  report  to  Gen.  Schuyler,  and  refused  to  do 
so,  and  was  censured  for  it  in  Congress,  where  New  York 
was  all  powerful,  and  Vermont  unrecognized.5  But  some 
days  before  this  vote  of  censure  upon  Gen.  Stark,  he  had 
fourjld  and  icon  the  battle  of  Bennington.  The  tidings  had 
not  readied  Congress,  because  the  post  at  that  time  re 
quired  five  days  to  get  from  Bennington  to  Philadelphia. 
So  soon  as  the  glad  news  did  arrive,  Stark* s  refusal  to  re 
port  to  Gen.  Schuyler  was  forgotten ;  and  a  vote  of  thanks 
adopted,  at  length,  and  Stark  was  appointed  a  brigadier- 
general  in  the  army  of  the  United  States.6 

i  Vermont  State  Papers.  2  Butler.  3  Lossing.  4. 5  Bancroft. 

G  Congress,  on  Oct. 4,  1777,  resolved,  "That  the  thanks  of  Congress  be  pre 
sented  to  (jen.  .Stark,  of  the  New  Hampshire  militia,  and  the  officers  and  troops 
under  his  command,  for  their  brave  and  successful  attack  upon,  and  signal  victory 


188  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Stark  was,  in  spirit  and  action,  and  by  association,  a 
representative  New  Hampshire  Grants  man.  He  rose  in 
estimation  at  Philadelphia,  and  the  petition  of  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants  to  be  recognized  as  an  independent 
State  obtained  a  more  respectful  hearing.1 

The  inhabitants  of  the  Grants  were  reassured  in  their 
purpose  ;  and,  outside  the  limits  of  their  territory,  men 
reasoned  that  if  the  Green  Mountain  Boys  could  make  of 
themselves  a  barrier  of  defence  for  the  country,  they  had  a 
right  to  self-existence  as  a  commonwealth. 

By  this  victory  on  the  Walloomsac  hope  returned  to  the 
American  people.  The  gift  of  trophies  of  the  battle  to 
Massachusetts  was,  and  still  is,  suspended  in  the  Senate 
Chamber  at  Boston,  over  the  entrance,  and  opposite  the 
Speaker's  chair,  and  a  copy  of  the  letter  of  thanks  is  fas 
tened  to  the  wall  just  beneath  the  trophies,  and  is  as  fol 
lows  :  — 

"  COMMONWEALTH  OF  MASSACHUSETTS, 
"BOSTON,  Dec.  5,  1777. 

"  SIR:  —  The  General  Assembly  of  this  State,  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  acceptable  present, 
the  token  of  victory  gained  at  the  memorable  battle  of  Benning- 
ton.  The  events  of  that  day  strongly  marked  the  bravery  of  the 
men,  who,  unskilled  in  war,  forced  from  their  entrenchments  a 
chosen  number  of  veteran  troops  of  boasted  Britons,  as  well  as 
the  address  and  valor  of  the  general  who  directed  their  move 
ments  and  led  them  on  to  conquest.  This  signal  exploit  opened 
the  way  to  a  rapid  succession  of  advantages,  most  important  to 
America. 

"These  trophies  shall  be  safely  deposited  in  the  archives  of  the 
State,  and  there  remind  posterity  of  the  irresistible  power  of 


over,  the  enemy  in  their  lines  at  Bennington;  and  that  Brigadier  Stark  be  ap 
pointed  a  brigadier-general  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States."  —  Journal  of 
Congress,  iii.,  327.   Yeas  and  nays  required  and  taken;  but  one  dissenting  voice, 
—  M.  Chase,  of  Maryland. 
1  Thompson's  Vermont. 


OTHER    TESTIMONY.  189 

the   God  of  armies  aiid  the  honors  due  to  the  memory  of  the 
brave. 

"Still  attended  with  like  successes,  may  you  long  enjoy  the 

reward  of  your  grateful  country. 

"JEREMIAH  POWELL, 

11  President  of  the  Council. 
"Brigadier  GeneralJonN  STARK." 

"The  great  stroke  struck  by  Gen.  Stark  near  Benning- 
ton,"  says  Gen.  Washington,  in  a  letter  to  Putnam.1  "The 
capital  blow  given  the  enemy  by  Gen.  Stark,"  says  Gen. 
Lincoln.2  Bancroft  pronounces  this  "victory  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  and  eventful  of  the  war."  3  Baroness  Reid- 
sell,  then  in  the  British  camp,  wrote :  "  This  unfortunate 
event  paralyzed,  at  once,  our  operations."  Clinton  wrote  : 
"  Since  the  affair  at  Bennington,  not  an  Indian  has  been 
heard  of ;  the  scalping  has  ceased.  I  do  not  apprehend,  in 
deed,  any  great  danger  from  the  future  operations  of  Mr. 
Burgoyne."  The  Indians,  in  particular,  were  so  disheart 
ened,  that  nearly  all  of  them  immediately  left  the  British 
service,  and  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  of  them  came 
over  and  joined  the  American  army.  The  Canadians  and 
tories  also  deserted  in  large  numbers.4 

The  terror  of  Burgoyne,  and  his  confidence  in  himself, 
alike  departed.  In  his  instructions  to  Baum,  before  the 
battle,  he  wrote  :  — 

"  Mount  your  dragoons ;  send  me  thirteen  hundred  horses ;  seize 
Bennington ;  cross  the  mountains  to  Rockingham  and  Brattlebor- 
ough ;   try  the  affections  of  the  country ;   take  hostages ;   meet 
.me,  a  fortnight  hence,  in  Albany."5 

1  Irving's  Washington,  iii.,  p.  170. 

2  Bennington,  August  18.    To  Gen.  Schuyler.  3  ix.,  386. 

4  Thompson's  Vermont. 

"  At  Bennington  Stark  gave  the  wound 
Which,  like  a  gangrene,  spread  around." 

—From  a  poem  by  the  Rev.  Wheeler  Case. 

5  See,  also,  Evidence  on  the  American  War,  given  before  the  House  of  Com 
mons,  London,  1780,  p.  77. 


190  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Four  days  after  the  battle,  he  wrote  to  England  thus  :  — 

"The  Hampshire  Grants,  in  particular,  —  a  country  unpeopled 
and  almost  unknown  in  the  last  war,  —  now  abounds  in  the  most 
active  and  rebellious  race  oil  the  continent,  and  hangs,  like  a  gath 
ering  storm,  on  my  left."  l 

"  The  ideas  entertained  of  the  Americans,  by  Gen.  Bur- 
goyne,  now  experienced  a  total  revolution,  and  he  declared 
that  it  would  be  impossible  for  Britain  to  succeed  in  her 
views,  and  that  he  should,  on  his  return  to  England,  recom 
mend  the  recognition  of  their  independence."  2 

In  what  remained  to  be  done,  and  in  putting  the.  finish 
ing  stroke  upon  Burgoyne's  campaign,  at  Stillwater,  on  the 
7th  of  the  following  October,  the  Green  Mountain  Boys 
bore  their  full  share. 


XI.  COMPARATIVE  STRENGTH  OF  FORCES.  —  Authorities 
differ  as  to  the  numbers,  particularly  of  Baum's  expedi 
tion  and  the  reinforcement.  As  we  are  obliged  to  depend 
upon  those  who  were  beaten  in  the  engagements,  it  is 
reasonable  to  assume  that  the  numbers  given  will  be  too 
low  rather  than  too  high.  Burgoyne,  in  his  order  of 
August  26,  giving  explanations  for  the  unfortunate  result 
of  the  battle,  does  not  mention  the  great  superiority  of  the 
enemy  in  numbers.3 

Burgoyne  felt  that  very  much  depended  upon  the  success 
of  the  expedition.  In  addition  to  what  has  been  stated,  in 
the  fore  part  of  this  article,  of  his  threefold  object,  and  of 
his  carefulness  in  fitting  out  the  expedition,  it  may  be 

1  Burgoyne's  more  private  letter  to  Germain. 

2  Introduction  to  Burgoyne's  Orderly  Book.    "Their  measures  are  executed 
with  a  secrecy  and  dispatch  that  are  not  to  be  equalled."  — Burgoyne's  more  pri 
vate  letter  to  Germain.    "  Your  funds  of  men  are  inexhaustible,  like  the  hydra's 
head:  when  cut  off.  seven  more  sprang  up  in  its  stead."  —  Gen.  Burgoyue  to 
Gates,  at  dinner,  after  his  surrender,  at  Gen.  Schuyler's.      Orderly  Book. 

3  Orderly  Book,  p.  82. 


NUMBER    OF  BAUAf S   FORCE.  191 

added,  that  he  gave  to  Banm  and  to  Col.  Skene  very  care- 
full}'  prepared  instructions  ;  and  when  news  came  of  the  dis 
aster,  he  set  out,  with  the  forty-seventh  regiment,  to  cover 
the  retreat  of  the  beaten  detachments.  It  is  not  to  be  pre 
sumed  that  he  would  trifle  with  the  occasion  by  sending, 
for  an  expedition  of  such  importance  in  his  estimation,  an 
inferior  force.  He  had  high  hopes,  it  is  true,  of  the  disaf 
fection  and  number  of  the  tories  on  the  Grants  ;  but  this 
would  not,  in  his  mind,  it  is  presumed,  justify  any  careless 
ness.  The  best  troops  he  had  were  selected  for  the  expe 
dition. 

Col.  Baum  wrote  to  Gen.  Burgoyne,  from  Sancoik  on 
August  14 :  — 

"By  five  prisoners,  taken  here,  they  agree  that  from  fifteen  to 
eighteen  hundred  are  at  Bemiington.  ...  I  will  proceed  so 
far  to-day,  as  to  fall  on  the  enemy  early  to-morrow." 

Had  his  own  numbers  been  very  inferior  in  the  compari 
son,  it  is  scarcely  possible  he  could  have  sent  back  such 
word.  Bancroft,  who  had  access  to  German  materials  for 
this  portion  of  history,  which  other  authors  on  this  sub 
ject  had  not  enjoyed,1  says :  "  More  than  four  hundred 
Brunswickers,  Hanau  artillerists,  with  two  cannon,  the 
select  corps  of  British  marksmen,  a  part}7  of  French  Cana 
dians,  a  more  numerous  party  of  provincial  royalists,  and  a 
horde  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians."  (This  enu 
meration  leaves  out  the  fifty  chasseurs  added  after  Baum 
had  first  started.)  At  the  first  engagement,  certainly,  not 
all  .the  Hessians  were  killed  or  taken.  Glick  speaks  of 
cutting  his  way  through  with  thirty,  a  portion  of  whom 
escaped.  The  Hessians,  after  being  routed  on  the  hill,  ran 
to  escape ;  and,  doubtless,  some  few  of  them  succeeded. 
The  Indians  made  good  their  retreat  from  the  first  affair, 

1  See  Bancroft's  Preface  to  the  ninth  volume  of  his  Hist.  United  States. 


192  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

as  did  Capt.  Eraser?  with  part  of  his  company,  and  many 
of  the  provincials  and  Canadians.1  And  yet,  notwithstand 
ing  numbers  did  escape,  the  prisoners,  in  addition  to  the 
number  of  killed  of  the  enemy,  in  this  action,  was  very 
large.  Aaron  Hubbell  made  the  following  statement : 
"  Was  in  the  first  battle.  We  left  the  battle-field  as  one  of 
the  guard  placed  over  something  more  than  six  hundred 
prisoners  captured  in  the  first  engagement."  2 

With  regard  to  Breyman's  force,  Stark,  in  his  dispatch 
to  Gen.  Gates,  calls  it  "  a  large  reinforcement."  Thacher, 
in  his  military  journal,  makes  it  to  number  one  thousand 
regulars.  Butler,  without  giving  his  authority,  adopts  the 
same  number.  This  corps  de  reserve  was  ordered  to  march 
after  a  true  statement  was  sent  back,  by  Baum,  of  the 
number  of  the  Americans.  In  a  general  enumeration  of 
the  spoils  o"f  victory,  more  than  one  author  says  one  thou 
sand  stand  of  arms,  besides  the  dragoon  swords.  Bur- 
goyne's  Orderly  Book  puts  the  killed,  wounded,  and  pris 
oners  of  the  enemy  at  twelve  hundred,  and  twenty.  On 
the  whole,  the  writer  of  this  article  would  judge  the  num 
ber  of  the  enemy,  including  tories  and  Indians,  not  to  have 
been  much  if  at  all  inferior  to  the  number  of  our  men,  the 
aggregate  of  both  engagements  being  considered. 

XII.  ESTIMATE  OF  GENERAL  BURGOYNE.  —  Burgoyne's 
prestige,  after  his  defeat  at  Bennington  and  subsequent 
surrender  at  Stillwater  (17th  of  October),  was  gone,  of 
course,  and  the  pompous  style  of  his  manifestoes,  while  on 
the  flood-tide  of  success,  naturally  caused  him,  afterward, 
to  be  more  reproached  than  were  some  of  the  other  British 
generals.  But  it  is  unfair,  notwithstanding  his  failure,  to 
withhold  from  him  the  credit  of  an  able  and  skilful  inili- 

1  Burgoyne's  letter  to  Lord  George  Germain. 

2  MS.  in  possession  of  Gov.  Hall. 


OUR   MEN  NOT   TRAINED    SOLDIERS.  193 

tary  officer.  He  returned  to  England,  of  course,  under  a 
heavy  cloud.  But,  in  1781,  a  committee  being  appointed 
to  inquire  into  the  conduct  of  the  war,  so  far  as  it  was 
shared  in  by  Sir  William  Howe,  Burgoyne  obtained  a 
chance  to  be  heard  ;  and  henceforth  the  stigma  upon  his 
name  appears  to  have  been  removed.  He  rose  again  into 
favor  and  influence.  Before  this  committee,  "  every  officer 
that  was  examined  gave  the  strongest  testimony  to  his 
braveiy  and  superior  talents.  It  did  not  appear  that  a 
single  fault  had  been  found  with  any  of  his  plans  or  move 
ments  by  the  most  enlightened  judges  who  were  on  service 
with  him ;  but  it  did  clearly  appear  that  he  enjoyed  the 
entire  confidence  of  the  army ;  and  that,  in  situations  of 
the  most  trying  nature,  in  the  face  of  disaster,  of  danger, 
and  of  death,  he  was  looked  up  to,  by  his  troops,  with  the 
utmost  affection  and  the  most  undoubted  reliance  ;  that 
they  were,  at  all  times,  ready  to  suffer,  to  fight,  and  to 
perish  with  him."  l 

These  remarks  are  made  as  what  justice  to  Gen.  Bur 
goyne  requires,  and  because  to  unreasonably  disparage  the 
foe  is  to  detract  from  the  just  merit  of  our  success  in  his 
defeat. 

XIII.  OUR  MEN  NOT  TRAINED  SOLDIERS.  —  In  order  to 
appreciate  the  valor  of  the  Americans,  in  the  Bennington 
battle,  their  general  want  of  military  experience  and  train 
ing  at  that  time  must  be  considered.  When  Stark  ordered 
the  cannon  taken  from  Baum  to  the  scene  of  action,  upon 
the  arrival  of  Breyman,  the  men  whom  he  directed  to  load 
and  fire  knew  not  how  to  do  it ;  the  general  dismounted,  and 
taught  them,  by  loading  one. of  the  pieces  himself.2  A 
glimpse  at  the  destitution  of  Stark's  New  Hampshire  re- 

1  Burgoyne's  State  of  the  Expedition.  2  Thacher. 

17 


194  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

emits  is  given  us  in  a  letter  from  his  head-quarters  at  the 
fort  in  Number  Four,  on  the  Connecticut  River,  July  30  :  — 

"We  are  detained  by  the  want  of  bullet-moulds,  as  there  is  but 
one  pair  in  town ;  and  the  few  balls  sent  on  by  the  Council  go  but 
a  little  way." 

He  also  wrote,  at  the  same  time  :  — 

"  If  some  rum  could  be  forwarded,  it  would  oblige  us  very  much ; 
for  there  is  none  of  that  article  in  those  parts  where  we  are  going." 

Many  other  things  were  wanting  to  Stark's  little  army  ; 
he  mentions  kettles  and  cooking  utensils ;  none  of  these 
wants  could  be  supplied  from  New  Hampshire.  Out  of 
eleven  barrels  of  powder  at  Number  Four,  nine  had  been 
condemned.  The  four  cannon  there  had  been  dismounted, 
and  apparatus  for  putting  on  carriages  could  not  be  pro 
cured.1 

After  the  battle,  in  all  Stark's  brigade  there  was  but  one 
case  of  amputating  instruments ;  there  were  no  tents,  and 
few  pails  and  canteens.2  Doctor  Henry  Clark  relates  that 
a  resident  of  Bennington,  who  was  a  lad  at  the  time  of  the 
battle,  told  him  of  the  vivid  impression  made  upon  his  mind 
by  seeing  the  men  hurrying  past  where  he  stood  (he  stood 
upon  the  corner  since  occupied  by  Mr.  Patchings  store), 
with  scj^thes  and  axes,  as  well  as  muskets  and  fowling- 
pieces,  to  meet  the  enemy. 

Some  remarks  of  Mr.  Everett,  in  his  life  of  Stark,  may 
be  appropriately  adduced  on  this  point :  — 

"  Too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  on  the  conduct  of  those 
who  gained  the  battle  of  Bennington,  officers  and  men.  It  is,  per 
haps,  the  most  conspicuous  example  of  the  performance  by  militia 
of  all  that  is  expected  of  regular  veteran  troops.  The  fortitude 
and  resolution  with  which  the  lines  at  Bunker  Hill  were  main- 

1  Butler.  2  Sparks'  Biography. 


INCIDENTS.  195 

tained  by  recent  recruits  against  the  assault  of  a  powerful  army 
of  experienced  soldiers  have  always  been  regarded  with  admira 
tion.  But  at  Benuiugton  the  hardy  yeomanry  of  New  Hampshire, 
Vermont,  and  Massachusetts,  many  of  them  fresh  from  the  plough, 
and  unused  to  the  camp,  « advanced,'  as  Gen.  Stark  expresses  it, 
'  through  fire  and  smoke,  and  mounted  breastworks  that  were  well 
fortified  with  cannon.'" 

XIV.  INCIDENTS.  —  Some  facts  and  incidents  may  fur 
ther  illustrate  the  spirit  of  our  men,  and  the  character  of 
the  conflict ;  anecdotes  of  uncertain  authenticity,  but  with 
verisimilitude  in  them. 

On  the  rainy  night  previous  to  the  battle  the  men  were 
under  orders  to  remain  in  the  encampment.  David  Robin 
son,  afterward  Gen.  David,  being  one  of  the  volunteers, 
could  not  overcome  the  conviction  that  he  might  be  true  to 
his  duty,  and  also  improve  the  opportunity  of  the  postpone 
ment  of  the  attack  until  next  day,  to  go  home,  and  see  how 
it  fared  with  the  dear  ones  there.  He  had  a  young  wife, 
and  two  young  children,  and  an  aged  mother  there.  On 
his  way  he  overtook  his  captain,  who  appeared  to  have 
reasoned  as  he  did  on  the  subject  of  domestic  duty,  and 
who  lived  on  the  road  to  the  encampment.  The  young  vol 
unteer  intended  to  pass  the  captain  unrecognized,  pulling 
his  slouch  hat  over  his  face ;  but  he  failed  in  this.  The 
captain  recognized  him,  and  called  out,  "  David,  were  you 
not  under  orders  to  stay  in  camp  all  night  ? "  David  re 
plied,  "I  suppose  a  soldier's  orders  are  to  follow  his  cap 
tain." 

When,  on  this  occasion,  he  had  reached  home,  he  had 
not  been  there  long  before  a  neighbor  came  in,  and  said  the 
tories  and  Indians  were  coming  up  the  hill,  from  the  valley 
east,  and  were  in  his  cornfield.  With  his  characteristic 
promptness  and  courage,  that  never  knew  fear,  he  pro 
ceeded  to  reconnoitre.  Upon  his  hands  and  knees,  it  being 


196  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

pitch-dark,  that  he  might  get  objects  between  himself  and 
the  sky,  the  better  to  discern  what  there  might  be,  he  soon 
ascertained  that  what  had  occasioned  his  neighbor's  alarm 
were  the  fire-flies  of  that  August  night,  and  some  oxen  that 
had  broken  into  his  corn.  As  he  was  returning,  he  stum 
bled  upon  his  old  mother,  who  had  started  from  the  house, 
and  already  proceeded  some  distance,  to  be  more  sure  of 
flight  in  case  of  an  overwhelming  attack  from  the  enemy. 
She  had  with  her  a  pillow-case  full  of  valuable  papers,  and 
said  to  her  son,  "I  thought  I  would  try  to  save  at  least 
these,  as  they  might  be  of  more  importance  to  you,  some  time, 
than  other  things."  Pie  said  to  her,  "  Go  back,  mother, 
to  the  house  ;  and,  if  we  must  die,  let  us  all  die  together."  1 

Capt.  Samuel  Robinson,  mentioned  in  the  foregoing  par 
agraph,  was,  no  doubt,  back  to  his  post  betimes.  The  fol 
lowing  anecdote  will  illustrate  how  he  was  not  wanting  to 
his  duty.  The  roll  of  the  large  company  he  commanded  at 
that  time  will  be  given  at  the  conclusion  of  this  article.  In 
the  battle,  he  was  loading  and  firing  like  the  rest ;  but  a 
ball  on  one  side  of  his  head,  singing  just  past  his  ear,  made 
him  dodge  away  from  it.  Soon  came  another  on  the  oppo 
site  side,  and  the  head  jerked  again,  nervously,  at  the  whis 
tle.  Mortified  to  think  his  neck  was  so  limber,  he  turned 
around  to  his  men,  and  said,  "  Boys,  keep  your  eye  on  me  ; 
and,  if  I  dodge  again,  put  a  ball  through  me  sideways."  2 

Has  the  kind  reader  patience  for  two  or  three  more  Ben- 
nington  battle  anecdotes?  Eleazer  Edgerton,  in  the  midst 
of  the  second  engagement,  was  firing  away  from  behind  a 
tree,  when  suddenly  he  espied  a  very  young  man  looking 
round  anxiously  for  a  standing-place  alike  secure.  "  Here, 
boy,"  shouted  he,  "  take  my  tree  ;  you  fight  behind,  and  I'll 
fight  before.  The  rascals  daren't  shoot  me  ;  they  know  me." 

1  Related  to  the  writer  by  Miss  Caldwell. 

2  Mr.  Robinson's  Address. 


ANECDOTES    OF   THE    BATTLE.  197 

And  in  an  instant  he  had  planted  his  giant  frame  back  to 
the  trunk  of  the  tree ;  and  there  he  stood  firing  until  the 
Hessians  did  know  him,  and  fear  him,  and  fled  bej^ond  the 
reach  of  his  bullets.1  Leonard  Robinson,  whose  aim  was 
quick  and  deadly,  declared  that  every  time  he  shot  he  saw 
a  man  fall.  "But,"  said  he,  "I  prayed  the  Lord  to  have 
mercy  on  his  soul ;  and  then  I  took  care  of  his  body."  2 

"What  queer  notions  they  had  of  some  things  in  those 
days  may  be  illustrated  by  an  incident  or  two. 

"  Old  Uncle  Silas  Robinson  was  somewhat  peculiar  in  his 
way  of  telling  a  story ;  but  his  sharp  voice  used  to  give 
great  effect  to  the  account  of  his  participation.  '  I  had 
heard,'  said  he,  '  that  these  Robinsons  were  all  cowards ; 
and  I  rather  thought,  if  any  of  them  was,  I  was  the  man. 
But  somebody  told  me  that  gunpowder  was  good  for  cour 
age  ;  so  I  took  about  a  gill  of  gin,  and  thickened  it  up  ;  and 
when  I  had  drank  that,  I  tell  you,  then  I  fought.'"3 

Eleazer  Hawks,  whose  reason  for  not  coming  early  to 
the  battle  has  been  narrated  elsewhere  in  this  volume,  made 
the  more  haste  when  he  did  come.  He  was,  therefore,  much 
parched  and  exhausted  with  running,  and  with  the  labors 
of  the  remainder  of  the  battle.  A  pint  of  rum  was  handed 
him,  and  he  drank  it  all,  supposing  it  was  water ;  and  be 
fore  the  man  who  followed  with  water  had  time  to  offer  him 
some,  he  said,  u  Now  give  me  some  rum."  The  liquor  he 
drank  appeared  to  produce  no  ill  effect. 

A  hogshead  of  rum  had  been  procured  by  General  Stark, 
and  with  a  little  more  time  would  have  been  distributed  at 
the  termination  of  the  first  action.  It  was  prevented  -by 
the  so  sudden  appearing  of  Brej^man. 

With  respect  to  the  exhausting  effect  of  the  fight,  in  the 
oral  acount  of  the  surviving  soldier  to  Mr.  Butler,  he 
says,  "  My  company  lay  down  and  slept  in  a  cornfield, 

i)  2, 3  Mr.  Robinson's  Address. 
17* 


193  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

near  where  we  had  fought,  each  man  having  a  hill  of  corn 
for  a  pillow.  When  I  awaked  next  morning,  I  was  so 
beaten  out,  that  I  could  not  get  up  till  I  had  rolled  about  a 
good  while."  l 

Of  the  interest  of  the  ministry  and  the  pulpit  in  the 
cause  of  patriotism,  with  respect  to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey, 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery,  mention  is  made  elsewhere.  The 
zeal  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen  in  the  battle  has  become 
famous,  partly  from  its  naivete.  In  accounts  of  the  battle, 
he  is  called  "  Parson  Allen  "  or  "  the  fighting  parson."  He 
is  believed  to  have  been  the  Rev.  Mr.  Allen,  pastor  of 
Pittsfield,  Mass.  He  came  with  the  Berkshire  detachment 
of  militia,  Col.  Simmons.  The  story  is  thus  told  in  Ever 
ett's  Life  of  Stark.  "  Among  the  reinforcements  from  Berk 
shire  County,2  came  a  clergyman  with  a  portion  of  his 
flock,  resolved  to  make  bare  the  arm  of  flesh  against  the 
enemies  of  the  country.  Before  daylight  on  the  morning 
of  the  16th  he  addressed  the  commander  as  follows  :  — 

"  '  We  the  people  of  Berkshire  have  frequently  been  called  upon 
to  fight,  but  have  never  been  led  against  the  enemy.  We  have 
now  resolved,  if  you  will  not  let  us  fight,  never  to  turn  out 
again.' 

"  General  Stark  asked  him  if  he  wished  to  inarch  then, 
when  it  was  dark  and  rainy. 

"  '  No,'  was  the  answer.  '  Then,'  continued  Stark, '  if  the 
Lord  shall  once  more  give  us  sunshine,  and  I  do  not  give 
you  fighting  enough,  I  will  never  ask  you  to  come  out 
again/ 

"The  weather  cleared  up  in  the  course  of  the  day,  and 


1  Mr.  Butler's  Address. 

2  The  Rev.  Mr.  Noble,  in  his  Williamstown  Centennial  Address,  gives  credit 
to  the  volunteers  from  that  town  in  these  words:  "Every  man  in  this  town, 
except  a  cripple  on  crutches,  shouldered  his  gun  and  rushed  to  the  field  of  con 
flict." 


OUR   DEAD.  199 

the  men  of  Berkshire  followed  their  spiritual  guide  into 
action."  l 

In  other  parts  of  this  volume  mention  is  made  of  prayer- 
meetings  held  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  for  the  success  of 
our  army,  by  those  who  could  not  aid  with  weapons  of 
war.  In  Mr.  Butler's  Address  is  narrated  a  prayer  meeting 
for  the  same  object,  held  also  at  Williamstown,  whither 
many  from  the  north  had  repaired  for  safety,  women  and 
children,  aged  and  infirm,  in  the  event  of  the  battle  issu 
ing  adversely. 

"  In  my  boyhood,  my  grandmother  often  related  to  me,  how,  on 
that  day,  she,  with  many  other  women  of  Williamstown,  and  their 
minister,  resorted  to  their  meeting-house,  and  there  continued  in 
prayer  for  their  kinsmen,  who  were  in  the  field  of  blood,  till  late 
at  night,  when  a  courier  came  announcing  glad  tidings." 

The  cannon  peals  were  heard  booming  over  the  hills  at 
Williamstown  during  the  anxious  hours.2 

The  joy  of  the  people  of  Bennington  at  the  great'victory 
was  not  unmingled  with  sadness.  Four  of  its  most  re 
spected  citizens  had  fallen  on  the  field  of  battle.  They 
were  John  Fay  (son  of  Stephen),  Hemy  Walbridge  (brother 
of  Ebenezer).  Daniel  Warner  (cousin  of  the  colonel),3  and 
Nathan  Clark  (son  of  Nathan,  and  brother  of  Isaac).  They 
were  all  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  all  heads  of  families,  leav 
ing  widows  and  children  to  mourn  their  sudden  bereave 
ment.  The  grief  for  their  loss  was  not  confined  to  their 
immediate  relatives,  but  was  general,  deep,  and  sincere.4 

1  See  also  American  Revolution  from  Newspapers  and  Original  Documents  by 
F.  Moore. 

2  Mr.  Noble's  Centennial  Address.    It  is  said  that  the  smoke  of  the  battle  was 
distinctly  seq^  from  Bemis'  Heights,  thirty  miles  distant.  —  Lossing. 

3  "  Warner  rode  near  us.    Some  one,  pointing  to  a  dead  man  by  the  wayside, 
said  to  him :  '  Your  cousin  is  killed.'    '  Is  it  Daniel  ? '  asked  Warner ;  and  when 
the  answer  was  '  Yes,'  he  jumped  off  his  horse,  stopped  and  gazed  in  the  dead 
man's  face,  and  then  rode  away  without  saying  a  word."  —  Account  of  a  surviv 
ing  soldier.  4  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


200  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  following  are  selected  from  some  stanzas  on  the  Ben- 
nington  battle,  written  by  E.  H.  Chapin,  a  native  of  Benning- 
ton  (now  the  Rev.  E.  H.  Chapin,  D.D.),  in  1837,  and  deliv 
ered  by  him  in  the  "  Old  Academy,"  in  Bennington  Centre  : — 


"  They  came,  as  brave  men  ever  come, 

To  stand,  to  fight,  to  die ; 
No  thought  of  fear  was  in  the  heart, 

No  quailing  in  the  eye ; 
If  the  lip  faltered,  'twas  with  prayer, 

Amid  those  gathering  bands ; 
For  the  sure  rifle  kept  its  poise 

In  strong,  untrembling  hands. 

"  They  came  up,  at  the  battle  sound, 

To  old  Walloomsack's  height ; 
Behind  them  were  their  fields  of  toil, 

With  harvest  promise  white ; 
Before  them  those  who  sought  to  wrest 

Their  hallowed  birthright  dear, 
While  through  their  ranks  went  fearlessly 

Their  leader's  words  of  cheer. 

"  My  men,  there  are  our  freedom's  foe, 

And  shall  they  stand  or  fall? 
Ye  have  your  weapons  in  your  hands, 

Ye  know  your  duty  all ; 
For  we  —  this  day  we  triumph  o'er 

The  minions  of  the  crown, 
Or  Molly  Stark's  a  widowed  one 

Ere  yonder  sun  goes  down. 

"  One  thought  of  heaven,  one  thought  of  home, 

One  thought  of  hearth  and  shrine, 
Then,  rock-like,  stood  they  in  their  might 

Before  the  glittering  line. 
A  moment,  and  each  keen  eye  paused, 

The  coming  foe  to  mark, 
Then  downward  to  his  barrel  glanced, 

And  strife  was  wild  and  dark. 


CAPTAIN  ROBINSONS    COMPANY. 


201 


"  It  needs  no  monumental  pile 

To  tell  each  storied  name, 
The  fair,  green  hills  rise  proudly  up 

To  consecrate  their  fame. 
True  to  its  trust,  Walloomsack  long 

The  record  bright  shall  bear, 
Who  came  up  at  the  battle  sound 

And  fought  for  freedom  there." 

The  16th  of  August,  ever  since  the  battle,  has  been  ob 
served,  in  Bennington  and  vicinity,  as  a  patriotic  holiday  ; 
and,  though  not  superseding  the  observance  of  Fourth  of 
July,  with  the  rest  of  the  country,  is  celebrated  with  no 
less  spirit  than  is  that  great  national  anniversary. 

The  roll  of  Capt.  Dewey's  military.company,  as  it  was 
constituted  at  the  time  of  the  battle,  has  not  been  pre 
served.  Of  Capt.  Samuel  Robinson's  company,  the  follow 
ing;  is  a  list  of  the  men  in  the  battle  :  — 


Kobert  Cochran, 
Gideon  Spencer, 
William  Henry, 
Henry  Walb ridge, 
Rufus  Branch, 
John  Lamed, 
Thomas  Abel, 
Nathan  Lawrence, 
Josiah  Brush, 
David  Fay  (flfer), 
Leonard  Robinson, 
Daniel  Biddlecome, 
Levi  Hatheway, 
Abram  Hatheway, 
Reuben  Colvin, 
Eliphalet  Stickuey, 
Daniel  Rude, 


Benjamin  Holmes, 
James  Marivater, 
Mr.  Alger, 
Ammie  Fuller, 
Jonah  Brewster, 
George  Dale, 
John  Marble, 
Ephraim  Marble, 
Aaron  Hubbell, 
Samuel  Saflbrd,  Jr., 
Aaron  Smith, 
Ephraim  Smith, 
Samuel  Henry, 
Edward  Henderson, 
Jonathan  Haynes, 
Archelaus  Tapper, 
Daniel  Warner, 


202 


MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY.. 


Lieut.  Simeon  Hatheway, 

Aaron  Miller, 

John  Fay, 

Elijah  Fay, 

Joseph  Fay, 

John  Clark, 

Jehoshaphat  Holmes, 

Moses  Rice, 

Benjamin  "VVhipple,  Jr., 

Silas  Robinson, 

John  Weeks, 

Moses  Scott, 

Alpheus  Hatheway, 

Solomon  Walb ridge, 

Ebenezer  Bracket, 

Jehiel  Smith, 

Asa  Branch, 

Phineas  Wright,   .  • 

John  Smith, 

Jesse  Belknap, 

Silvauus  Brown, 


John  Forbes, 
Stephen  Williams, 
William  Post, 
David  Safibrcl, 
Jared  Post, 
Jeremiah  Bingham, 
Samuel  Slocum, 
Josiah  Hurd, 
Ezekiel  Brewster, 
Solomon  Leason, 
Thomas  Selden, 
John  Rigney, 
Elisha  Smith, 
Solomon  Safford, 
Joseph  Roe, 
William  Terrill, 
Noah  Beach, 
Simeon  Sears, 
David  Robinson, 
Joseph  Safford, 
Isaac  Webster. 


Ode  by  Mrs.  A.  C.  L.  Botta.1 

"  Our  patriot  sires  are  gone ; 

The  conqueror  Death  lays  low 
Those  veterans,  one  by  one, 

Who  braved  each  other  foe ; 
Though  on  them  rests  death's  sable  pall, 
Yet  o'er  their  deeds  no  shade  shall  fall. 

"  No,  ye  of  deathless  fame ! 

Ye  shall  not  sleep  unsung, 
While  freedom  hath  a  name, 
Or  gratitude  a  tongue  : 

1  "  Mrs.  Anna  C.  (Lynch)  Botta.  She  edited,  in  1841,  the  '  Rhode  Island  Book ; ' 
in  1853,  published  an  illustrated  volume  of  poems ;  in  1855,  was  married  to  Prof. 
Botta,  of  New  York  city.  The  last  work  of  Mrs.  Botta  is  the  '  Hand- Book  of 
Literature,'  published  in  1860,  and  entitles  the  author  to  a  handsome  place  among 
the  prose  writers  in  America."  — Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


ODE    BY  MRS.    BOTTA.  203 

Yet  shall  your  names  and  deeds  sublime 
Shine  brighter  through  the  mists  of  time. 

'  Oh,  keep  your  armor  bright, 

Sons  of  those  mighty  dead, 
And  guard  ye  well  the  right 

For  which  such  blood  was  shed ! 
Your  starry  flag  should  only  wave 
O'er  freedom's  home  or  o'er  your  grave." 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES. 
SAMUEL  ROBINSON,  ESQ.,  AND  MRS.  MARCY  L*.  ROBINSON. 

S  the  best  method  of  preserving  some  interesting 
incidents  of  the  early  history  of  the  town  and 
church,  and  some  illustrations  of  the  position  and 
influence  attained  in  early  days  by  this  community, 
some  personal  notices,  it  is  deemed,  will  be  accept 
able  to  the  readers  of  these  pages.  These  notices 
will  be  confined  to  persons  who  came  here,  or  were  born 
here,  at  least  a  half  century  ago,  including  a  few  who  have 
deceased  during  the  writer's  pastorate  in  Bennington,  but 
who  were  much  identified  with  the  earlier  persons  and  times 
of  this  community. 

The  writer  regrets  a  certain  necessary  injustice  to  indi 
viduals  in  a  work  of  this  kind,  both  through  the  unequal 
treatment  of  some  who  are  noticed,  and  the  omission,  doubt 
less,  of  many  who  deserve  to  be  commemorated.  He  can 
only  say,  that,  though  expending  a  great  amount  of  labor 
upon  this  part  of  the  volume,  he  has  been  still  obliged,  very 
considerably,  to  use  such  materials  as  have  happened  to 
get  into  his  possession. 

I.  SAMUEL  ROBINSON,  SEN.,  ESQ.,  was  the  acknowl 
edged  leader  in  the  band  of  pioneers  in  the  settlement  of  the 
town ;  and  continued  to  exercise  almost  a  controlling  au 
thority  in  the  affairs  of  the  town,  the  remainder  of  his  life.1 

l  Vermont  Hist,  Mag. 


SAMUEL  ROBINSON^    SEN.  205 

lie  was  born  at  Cambridge,  Mass.,  1705.  His  father, 
Samuel  Robinson,  was  born  at  Bristol,  England,  1668.  In 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Hooker's  printed  sermon  at  the  funeral  of 
Gen.  David  Robinson,  in  a  note,  it  is  said  that  the  elder 
Samuel  Robinson  is  supposed  to  have  been  a  distant  con 
nection  of  the  Rev.  John  Robinson  of  Leyden  (pastor  on 
that  side  of  the  water  to  the  Pilgrims  of  the  Mayflower). 
Mr.  Isaac  T.  Robinson  stated  to  the  writer  that  both  Samuel 
(our  Bennington  pioneer)  and  his  brother  Thomas  were 
confident  they  were  descendants  of  the  Rev.  John  Robinson. 
Our  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.,  resided  in  Hard  wick,  Mass., 
twent}7-six  years  before  removing  to  Bennington. 

Many  facts  attest  his  ability  :  that  he  conceived,  organized, 
and  set  on  foot  the  settlement  of  this  part  of  the  country  ;  that 
he  was  so  prompt  and  resolute  to  resist  the  claims  of  New 
York  officials  to  the  lands  and  jurisdiction  of  this  territory. 
It  is  related,  when  the  surveyors  came  from  New  York 
upon  his  lands,  he  cut  their  chain  in  two  with  his  hoe,  but 
when  they  desisted  from  their  attempt  he  invited  them  into 
his  house  and  treated  them  in  the  most  hospitable  man 
ner  ;  that  he  was  deputed  to  London,  as  representative  of 
the  settlers  here,  in  the  British  Court,  and  enabled,  as  such, 
to  gain  the  ear  of  His  Majesty,  and  secure  two  very  im 
portant  and  significant  orders  from  the  crown  in  favor  of 
the  settlers,  and  against  the  government  of  the  province  of 
New  York. 

Before  his  coming  to  Bennington  he  was  an  active  and 
leading  man  in  Hardwick.  He  was  captain  of  a  company 
in  Col.  Ruggles'  regiment  of  provincials,  and  served  as  such 
on  the  frontier,  in  1755,  1756. l  He  was  at  the  head  of  his 
company  in  the  battle  of  Lake  George,  when  the  French  were 
defeated  by  Generals  Johnson  and  Lyinan.  He  was  a  dea- 

1  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p  85. 
18 


206  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

con  in  the  old  church,  and  afterward  in  the  Separate  church 
in  Hardwick.1 

"  He  was  commissioned  a  justice  of  the  peace  by  Gov. 
Wentworth,  Feb.  8,  1762,  being  the  first  person  appointed 
to  a  judicial  office  within  the  limits  of  the  State. 

"  In  the  summer  of  1764  a  controversy  in  regard  to  juris 
diction  arose  in  Pownal  between  claimants  under  New  Hamp 
shire,  and  others  under  New  York,  in  which  the  authority 
of  Esquire  Robinson,  as  a  magistrate,  seems  to  have  been 
invoked.  Mr.  Robinson  being  at  Pownal  was,  together  with 
Samuel  Ashley,  a  New  Hampshire  sheriff's  deputy,  and  two 
other  persons,  arrested  by  the  New  York  sheriff  and  his 
assistants,  and  carried  to  Albany  jail.  This  collision  of 
officers  produced  a  correspondence  between  the  governors 
of  the  two  provinces,  which  appears  to  have  resulted  in  a 
sort  of  compromise,  by  which  Mr.  Robinson  and  those  with 
him  were  released  on  moderate  or  nominal  bail,  and,  though 
indicted  for  resisting  the  New  York' officers,  were  never 
brought  to  trial. 

"In  December,  1765,  when  it  was  ascertained  by  the  set 
tlers  under  New  Hampshire  that  their  lands  were  being 
granted  from  under  them  by  Lieutenant  Governor  Golden, 
Mr.  Robinson  was  deputed  by  those  of  Bennington  and 
the  neighboring  towns  to  go  to  New  York  for  the  purpose 
of  trying  to  persuade  him  to  save  their  possessions  from 
the  grasp  of  the  city  speculators ;  but  his  efforts  were 
unavailing."  2 

"  There  being  no  longer  airy  hope  of  relief  from  the  gov 
ernment  of  New  York,  the  claimants  under  New  Hampshire 
resolved  to  appeal  for  redress  of  their  grievances  to  the  con 
science  of  the  king.  A  petition  was  accordingly  prepared 
and  signed  by  over  one  thousand  of  the  settlers  and  grantees, 

1  Hardwick  Centennial  Address,  by  the  Rev.  Lucius  R.  Paige. 

2  Vermont  Hist,  Mag.,  p.  1C7. 


HON.    W.    S.    JOHNSON.  207 

and  Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  was  appointed  their  agent  to 
repair  to  England  and  lay  it  before  His  Majesty."  A 

u  William  Samuel  Johnson,  an  eminent  lawyer  and  states 
man  of  Connecticut,  was  then  preparing  to  leave  for  Eng 
land,  as  agent  for  that  colony  to  the  home  government,  and 
the  petitioners  employed  him  to  assist  Mr.  Robinson  in  his 
mission.  They  sailed  in  the  same  vessel  from  New  York, 
the  25th  of  December,  1766,  and  landed  at  Falmouth,  Eng 
land,  the  30th  of  January  following,  and  reached  London  a 
few  days  afterward."  2 

Mr.  Robinson  was  much  hindered  in  his  mission  by  the 
aristocratic  prejudices  at  court  against  the  republican  set 
tlers  on  the  New  Hampshire  Grants,  also  by  want  of  money 
and  prestige  ;  3  nevertheless  he  was,  though  not  completely, 
in  a  very  important  degree  successful.  He  seems  to  have 
shrewdly  discerned  the  situation,  and  to  have  given  the 
settlers  at  home  sound  advice  as  to  the  wise  course  for  them 
to  pursue  under  their  difficulties. 

But,  most  valuable  of  all,  "  he  so  far  procured  the  aid  of 
the  crown  that  Lord  Shelburne,  on  April  11, 1767,  addressed 
a  letter  to  Sir  Henry  Moore,  who  had  then  become  gov 
ernor  of  the  province  of  New  York,  forbidding  him  in  the 
most  positive  terms  from  making  any  more  grants  of  land 
in  the  disputed  territoiy,  and  from  molesting  any  person 
in  possession  under  a  New  Hampshire  title.  And  on 
the  24th  of  July  following,  upon  a  report  of  the  case  by  the 
Lords  of  Trade,  a  formal  order  of  the  king  in  council  was 
made  commanding  the  Governor  of  New  York  '  upon  pain 
of  His  Majesty's  highest  displeasure '  to  make  no  grants 
whatever  of  any  part  of  the  controverted  lands,  '  until  His 
Majesty's  further  pleasure  should  be  known  concerning  the 
same."  4 

1,  2  Early  Hist,  of  Vermont,  p,  85.  3  Ibid.,  p.  96. 

4  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  04.  For  a  copy  of  the  petition  sent  by  the  settlers 
for  Mr.  llobhis'on  to  present  to  the  king,  and  other  documents  of  the  correspond- 


208  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  negotiations  appear  to  have  made  no  further  prog 
ress  beyond  this  point.  On  the  27th  of  October  following 
Mr.  Robinson  died  of  the  small-pox,  in  London.  Whether, 
had  he  lived,  he  would  have  been  able  to  prosecute  his 
labors,  as  agent  of  the  settlers,  to  a  complete  and  success 
ful  issue,  we  cannot  divine.  His  past  success  and  his 
sound  judgment  and  skill  would  seem  to  have  warranted 
high  expectations.  His  death  was  felt  by  the  settlers  to 
be  a  great  calamity.  Upon  his  decease  Mr.  Johnson  wrote 
a  letter  of  condolence  to  his  widow.  This  letter  shows 
clearly  that  Mr.  Robinson  was  high  in  the  esteem  of  Mr. 
Johnson  and  others  in  London ;  and,  on  that  account,  and 
as  containing  interesting  particulars,  it  is  inserted  here. 
The  original  is  in  the  possession  of  G.  W.  Robinson.  The 
letter  is  as  follows  :  l  — 

"LONDON,  Nov.  2,  1767. 

"  MADAM  :  —  It  is  with  the  deepest  concern  and  grief  that  I  find 
myself  obliged  to  communicate  to  you  the  sad  intelligence  of  your 
dear  husband's  decease.  He  had  enjoyed  very  good  health,  since  he 
left  America,  till  at  length  the  misfortune  which  I  alwajTs  feared 
for  him  overtook  him.  He  was  seized  with  the  small-pox,  which 
but  too  generally  proves  fatal  to  Americans  in  this  climate,  and 
his  appeared  to  be  of  a  bad  kind  and  very  severe.  Yet  he  bore  up 
against  the  distemper,  in  all  its  rage,  with  great  fortitude  and 
patience ;  and,  till  the  twelfth  day,  we  had  hopes  of  his  recovery 
(as  the  pocks  had  begun  to  turn),  but  the  next  day  it  took  a  sud 
den  and  fatal  turn,  and  it  appeared  that  he  had  not  strength  of 

ence  between  the  crown  and  the  New  York  government,  and  details  of  Mr.  Rob 
inson's  efforts,  see  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  pp.  85-97. 

i  Mr.  Johnson  was  one  of  the  three  first  chosen  to  represent  the  colony  of  Con 
necticut  in  the  Congress  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  the  first  of  the  three  dele 
gates  from  Connecticut  in  the  Convention  which  framed  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States,  the  others  being  Roger  Sherman  and  Oliver  Ellsworth.  He  was 
one  of  the  Senators  first  appointed  by  the  Legislature  of  Connecticut,  under  the 
National  Constitution.  — New  Englander,  April,  I860.  He  had  been  sent  to 
England,  as  agent  of  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  to  argue  for  it  an  important 
cause  before  the  Lords  in  Council,  and  for  five  years  remained  there,  entrusted 
with  various  public  as  well  as  private  affairs. 


ESQUIRE  ROBINSON'S  DECEASE.  209 

constitution  sufficient  to  throw  off  the  disease ;  and,  on  the  27th 
of  October,  at  half  past  ten  at  night,  he  was  no  more!  Such  was 
the  will  of  God.  He  was  sensible  to  the  last;  was  calmly  resigned 
to  the  will  of  Heaven,  and  died  full  of  faith.  We  have,  therefore, 
—  which  must  afford  you  the  greatest  consolation,  —  good  reason  to 
believe  that  he  has  exchanged  this  life  for  a  better,  and  rests  in 
eternal  felicity.  He  is  much  lamented  by  his  friends  and  acquaint 
ances  here,  who  are  many.  You  may  rest  assured  that  no  atten 
tion,  care,  or  expense  was  spared  for  his  comfort,  and  to  have 
saved  his  life,  had  it  been  consistent  with  the  designs  of  Provi 
dence.  He  had  two  excellent  nurses  constantly  by  him.  A  skilful 
apothecary  saw,  and  administered  to,  him  every  three  or  four 
hours.  He  was  visited  every  day  by  an  eminent  physician,  and 
his  friends  afforded  him  every  consolation  in  their  power.  After 
his  death,  as  the  last  act  of  friendship  to  his  memory,  I  took  care 
to  furnish  him  a  decent  funeral,  at  which  Gen.  Lyman  and  the 
other  gentlemen  here  from  America  attended  with  me  as  mourn 
ers.  He  is  interred  in  the  bury  ing-ground  belonging  to  Mr.  Whit- 
h'eld's  church,  where  he  usually  attended  public  worship.  A  club 
of  American  merchants  and  gentlemen,  to  whom  he  was  known 
generously  contributed  eight  pounds  sterling  toward  defraying  the 
expenses  of  his  funeral,  etc. ;  and  the  remainder,  as  the  accounts 
come  in.  —  the  amount  of  which  I  cannot  yet  determine,  —  I  shall 
advance,  not  doubting  that  it  will  be,  somehow  or  other,  re 
funded  me. 

"  I  most  sincerely  condole  with  you  in  this  great  affliction,  and 
pray  God  to  give  you  comfort  and  to  sanctify  this  melancholy 
event  to  you  and  nil  his  family  and  friends,  to  whom  I  beg  leave 
to  present  my  compliments,  and  am, 

"  Madam,  your  most  obedient 

"  And  very  humble  servant, 

"WILLIAM  SAMUEL  JOHNSON." 

Mr.  Robinson  had  ten  children,  all  born  in  Hardwick, 
one  of  whom  died  there  at  eleven  years  of  age.  The  other 
nine  removed  to  Bennington,  became  heads  of  families  and 
members  of  the  church.  Their  names  were  Leonard,  Sam 
uel,  Moses,  Silas,  Marcy,  Sarah,  David,  Jonathan,  and 
18* 


210  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Anna.     Of  his  descendants  some  are  to  be  found  in  almost 
every  State  and  Territory  in  the  Union.1 

II.  MRS.  MARCY  (LEONARD)  ROBINSON,  the  wife  of  Sam 
uel  Robinson,  Sen.,  Esq.,  was  of  Southbury,  Mass.,  born 
in  1713. 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  letter  respecting  her 
to  the  writer  by  her  grand-daughter  :  2  — 

"  I  suppose  my  grandmother  was  quite  a  business  woman. 
She  was  accustomed  to  take  one  of  her  sons  with  her,  and 
ride  to  Albany  on  horseback,  transact  business,  make  her 
purchases,  and  return.  I  believe  she  would  be  gone  several 
days,  for  she  usually  attended  meetings  there." 

When  living  in  their  log-house,  while  her  husband  was 
still  living,  but  in  England,  and  her  children,  David  and 
Jonathan  and  Anna,  were  with  her,  the  wolves  came  up 
at  night  and  tried  at  the  doors  and  windows  to  obtain 'en 
trance.  She  knocked  upon  the  door  to  frighten  them  from 
the  immediate  proximity,  then  seized  firebrands  from  the 
fire,  opened  the  door  and  waved  them  and  shouted  with  all 
her  strength.  The  wolves  fled  away  and  were  no  more  seen 
or  heard  by  her. 

She  is  remembered  for  her  great  consistency  and  power 
of  a  Christian  conversation.  The  volumes  of  Hopkins' 
divinity,  which  she  much  read,  and  many -passages  of  which 
she  marked  as  worthy  of  particular  attention,  are  pre 
served.  It  is  matter  of  tradition  that  the  Friday  prayer- 
meeting,  noted  in  the  early  history  of  this  community, 
originated  with  her.  It  was  first  held,  and  for  a  long  time, 
at  her  house.  It  was  a  custom,  long  continued  by  her,  to 
have  a  prayer-meeting,  at  noon,  on  Sunday,  at  her  house. 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 

2  Mrs.  Allyn,  daughter  of  Anna  Robinson,  Mrs.  Webster,  and  in  the  seventy- 
ninth  year  of  her  age,  residing  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 


ANECDOTES    OF  MRS.    ROBINSON.  211 

A  traditional  impression  has  been  related  to  the  writer,  of 
religious  services  being  customarily  held  in  a  log-house  be 
fore  the  erection  of  the  first  meeting-house.  This  was 
probabty  her  house,  —  the  same  impression  locating  the 
log-house  where  her  house  stood. 

A  manuscript  obituary  notice  of  her,  for  the  press,  has 
been  preserved.  The  following  are  extracts  from  this 
notice :  — 

"  It  was  remarkable  of  the  deceased,  that  her  profession  of  re 
ligion,  even  from  early  life,  was  regular,  her  piety  the  effect  of  in 
vestigation,  and  her  hope  the  enlightened  offspring  of  a  firmly 
grounded  faith.  For  the  last  ten  years  of  her  life  she  was  singu 
lar  for  the  enlargement  of  her  views,  the  extension  of  her  liber 
ality  of  sentiment,  and  her  reading  in  ancient  and  modern  history, 
both  sacred  and  profane.  She  retained  her  usefulness  to  the  last 
evening  of  her  life ;  and  the  Sabbath  previous  to  her  decease  she 
called  her  children  together,  took  an  affectionate  leave  of  them, 
and  gave  a  succinct  account  of  her  own  views  as  to  religious  con 
cerns,  and  the  reason  of  her  faith.  In  this  remarkably  affecting 
interview,  her  narration  and  comments  took  up  nearly  two  hours." 

The  following  anecdotes  were  related  of  her  by  her  son, 
Gen.  David,  to  William  Haswell :  — 

While  sitting  in  church,  in  revolutionary  times,  when  our 
mothers  had  resolved  that  they  would  not  wear  clothing  of 
foreign  manufacture,  a  lady,  who  sat  in  the  pew  forward  of 
her,  had  a  plaid  neckerchief  which  she  admired  so  much, 
that  she  determined  to  get  the  lease  (a  technical  expres 
sion  with  weavers),  and  set  herself  to  counting  the  threads. 
She  felt  rebuked,  turned  away,  and  fixed  her  eyes  upon  the 
minister ;  but  the  handkerchief  was  still  before  her,  and 
more  potent  than  her  sense  of  duty ;  her  mind  recurred  to 
the  counting  of  the  threads  to  get  the  lease,  until,  despite 
her  good  resolutions,  the  f  threads  were  counted  and  the 
lease  obtained  ;  then,  after  heaving  a  sigh,  she  said  to  her- 


212  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

self,  but  so  audibly  as  to  be  overheard,  "  Well,  devil,  you 
have  had  your  way  this  time." 

She  was  in  the  habit  of  conversing  freely  upon  the  sub 
ject  of  her  own  decease.  Her  daughter  inquired  of  her  if 
she  had  any  fear  of  death  ;  she  replied,  "  I  am  not  afraid 
to  be  dead,  but  I  am  afraid  I  shall  not  honor  my  Saviour 
in  the  hour  of  death." 

She  died  on  the  4th  of  June,  1795.  Her  funeral  was 
attended  the  Sabbath  following,  —  it  was  sacrament  day,— 
"  by  the  greatest  concourse  of  all  since  the  town  was  set 
tled."  i 

The  following  are  two  stanzas  of  a  hymn,  composed  by 
Mr.  Anthony  Haswell,  for  the  occasion,  and  sung  at  her 
funeral :  — 

"  She  spake,  and  to  her  calm  reproof 
The  hardened  sinner  lent  an  ear ; 
Blest  were  the  tenants  of  her  roof, 
Taught  by  her  voice  the  Lord  to  fear. 

"  She's  gone ;  her  pilgrimage  is  o'er; 

She  slept  and  breathed  her  soul  to  rest ; 
Her  warning  lips  shall  move  no  more, 
Nor  pain  for  sinners  heave  her  breast." 

A  Obituary  Notice. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

PERSONAL    NOTICES. 
FIRST   IMMIGRATION. 

KS.  BRIDGET  (BROWN)  HARWOOD  was  in  the  first 
company  of  settlers  in  Bennington.  She  was  a 
widow.  She  came  with  her  children,  Peter, 
Eleazer,  Zechariah,  Stephen,  Abigail,  and  Hepzi- 
es  bah.  She  rode  on  horseback,  as  did  the  other 
ladies  of  the  company.  As  they  neared  the  line 
they  raced  their  horses,  each  vying  with  the  other  to  be 
the  first  to  pass  over  into  the  Bennington  township.  Thus 
they  brought  their  effects  on  horseback,  and  came  by  the 
guidance  of  marked  trees.  She  must  have  been  a  resolute 
mother.  Her  husband  had  deceased  not  quite  three  years 
before,  — Benjamin  Harwood,  born  April  30,  1713,  in  Con 
cord,  Mass.,  where,  also,  his  father,  Peter  Harwood,  was 
born  ;  descended  of  English  ancestors. 

She  was  born  April  20,  1715,  at  Concord.  After  the 
birth  of  their  first  child,  Peter,  they  removed  to  Hard  wick, 
Mass.  All  of  their  children,  with  the  exception  of  the  old 
est  and  youngest,  were  born  in  Hardwick.  They  then 
-removed  to  Amherst,  Mass.,  and  thence  to  Bennington. 
They  were  married  in  May,  1733. 

PETER  HARWOOD,  her  oldest  son,  at  the  time  of  the 
removal  to  Bennington  was  about  twenty-six  years  of 
age,  and  came  with  his  wife  Margaret  (Clark).  She 


214  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

*. 

was  born  July  8,  1740,  in  Coleraine,  Mass,  (daughter 
of  Matthew  Clark,  of  Scotch  origin).  They  were  married 
June  9,  1759  ;  settled  in  Amherst,  and  removed  thence  to 
Bennington,  with  one  child  named  Clark. 

This  Peter  Harwood  set  out  the  first  apple-tree  in  this 
town,  and  it  is  still  living  and  bears  fruit.  Theirs  was  the 
first  son  born  in  this  town.  Their  mother,  Mrs.  Bridget 
Harwood,  was  the  first  person  among  the  settlers  who  died 
here,  November  8,  1762  ;  Mrs.  Margaret  Harwood  was  the 
first  hopeful  convert  added  on  profession  of  her  faith  to  this 
church  ;  and  the  house  upon  the  old  homestead,  now  occu 
pied  by  a  descendant,  —  H.  Hopkins  Harwood,  now  junior 
deacon  of  the  church, — has  been  pronounced  "to  retain 
more  of  the  shape  and  .appearance  of  the  first  frame  houses 
built  in  Bennington,  than  any  other  dwelling-house  now 
standing."  l 

SARAH  HARWOOD,  daughter  of  Peter  and  Margaret  Har 
wood,  married  Samuel  Robinson,  son  of  Col.  Samuel  Rob 
inson,  Jr.,  and  Esther,  daughter  of  Deacon  Joseph  Safford. 
She  was  the  mother  of  Uel  M.  Robinson,  Esq.  She  com 
piled  the  Genealogical  History  of  the  Families  of  Robin 
sons,  Saffords,  Harwoods,  and  Clarks,  —  a  work  of  immense 
labor,  and  great  accuracy,  and  very  valuable.  It  has  been 
constantly  consulted  in  the  preparation  of  portions  of  this 
volume.  She  was  born  October  3,  1775  ;  married  May  5, 
1796  ;  united  with  this  church  in  July,  1803,  and  died 
September  10,  1854. 

ELEAZER  HARWOOD,  second  son  of  Mrs.  Bridget  Har 
wood,  and  who  came  with  his  mother,  was  nearly  twenty- 
four  years  of  age,  and  accompanied  by  his  wife,  Elizabeth 
Montague,  to  whom  he  was  just  married,  May  19,  1761. 

l  Samuel  Fay,  Esq. 


ZECHAEIAH  HARWOOD.  .  215 

She  was  daughter  of  Samuel  Montague,  believed  to  be  one 
of  the  immigrants  hither  from  Sundeiiand,  Mass. ;  modera 
tor  of  the  first  town-meeting  in  this  town,  and  cousin  to  John 
Montague,  deacon  and  clerk,  and  his  son,  also  deacon  of 
the  old  First  Church  in  Sunderland. 

Eleazer  Harwood  and  Joseph  Safford  were  elected 
deacons,  at  the  first  election  of  deacons  in  this  church, 
according  to  the  records.  He  became  a  preacher  of  the  gos 
pel,  and  resigned  the  office  of  deacon  in  this  church  to  re 
move  to  Pittsford,  in  this  State,  where  he  became  pastor  of 
the  church,  and  was  blessed  with  extensive  and  powerful 
revivals.1  One  in  particular  is  mentioned,  —  that  of  1803. 
He  died  in  1807,  "  much  beloved  by  all  that  knew  him."2 
A  grandson  of  his,  by  the  name  of  Kellogg,  is  a  minister 
of  the  gospel.  Mrs.  Eleazer  Harwood's  mother  accompa 
nied  them  to  Pittsford,  and  died  there  in  January,  1816,  aged 
ninety-five  years  and  three  months. 

ZECHARIAH  HARWOOD  was  unmarried  when  he  came  with 
his  mother  to  this  town.  He  was  at  that  time  nineteen 
3'ears  of  age.  He  married  Lovina  Rice,  daughter  of  Oliver 
Rice,  of  Hard  wick,  and  born  in  1751. 

The  names  of  Jedediah,  Oliver,  and  Hannah  Rice  are  on 
the  old  covenant,  also  on  the  roll  of  this  church  at  its  or 
ganization.  The  name  of  Oliver  Rice  is  on  the  list  given 
in  Paige's  Hardwick  Centennial  Address  of  those  who  from 
Hardwick  served  in  the -French  war,  commencing  in  1756. 

Mr.  Harwood  settled  near  the  north  border  of  the  town 
on  the  road  now  the  main  road  to  Shaftsbuiy.  In  early 
times  vaccination  had  not  yet  been  introduced  into  the 
town,  and  on  occasion  of  the  prevalency  of  small-pox,  the 
town  gave  permission  for  innoculation  with  the  small-pox, 

1  See  Vermont  Evang.  Mag.  of  that  day.  —  P.  H.  White. 

2  Vermont  Chronicle. 


216  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  appointed  pest-houses,  to  which  patients  with  this  dis 
ease  should  be  restricted.  In  1800,  such  a  house  was  es 
tablished  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town,  under  the 
charge  of  Mr.  Harwood,  who,  though  not  a  regular  physi 
cian,  was  believed  to  have  peculiar  skill  in  the  management 
of  the  disease. 

A  Benjamin  Harwood  is  recorded  as  a  member  of  this 
church  in  1762.  If  this  is  correct,  it  must  have  been  the 
son  of  Mrs.  Bridget  Harwood,  of  that  name. 

BENJAMIN  HARWOOD,  son  of  Peter  Harwood,  mentioned 
in  another  place  as  the  first  male  child  born  in  Bennington, 
united  with  the  church  late  in  life,  January  3,  1836.  A 
diary  which  he  kept  has  been  preserved,  dating  back  to 
1806,  and  continued  for  some  four  years,  from  which  ex 
tracts  have  been  introduced  into  these  pages.  His  son, 
Hiram  Harwood,  continued  this  diary  down  to  1836.  It  is 
comprised  in  some  dozen  volumes,  most  of  them  quite 
large,  very  legibly  and  neatly  written,  —  a  minute  record  of 
every  day  of  life  for  thirty  years. 

The  Zechariah  Harwood  above  mentioned  was  a  member 
of  this  church  at  its  organization,  and  became  a  Univer- 
salist,  said  to  be  of  the  Winchester  type. 

This  Mr.  Winchester  had  been  a  preacher  of  Calvinistic 
doctrines,  and  became  an  advocate  of  universal  restoration, 
preaching  in  Philadelphia,  and  afterward  in  various  parts 
of  America  and  England ;  and  died  in  Hartford,  Conn., 
in  1797.  He  published  several  works.1  He  came  to  Ben 
nington  and  preached.  Individuals  of  prominence  went  to 
hear  him.  It  is  said  that  Judge  Jonathan  Robinson  went 
to  hear  him,  but  would  not  let  his  children  go,  and  did  not 
say  at  home  what  was  his  opinion  of  the  preacher's  senti 
ments. 

1  Encyclopedia  of  Religious  Knowledge  —  Art.  Winchester. 


11EV.    MR.    WINCHESTER.  217 

General  Ebenezer  Walbridge,  an  early  settler  in  Ben- 
nington  from  Norwich,  Conn.,  and  highly  distinguished  in 
the  civil  and  military  annals  of  this  town,  and  previously 
a  member  of  the  church,  adopted  Winchester  sentiments.1 

This  case  of  Zechariah  Harwood  is  introduced  to  bring  to 
notice  the  fact  that  his  third  son,  Perez,  who  had  adopted 
his  father's  Winchester  sentiments,  became,  after  having 
arrived  at  adult  age,  and  having  reared  a  large  family  of 
children,  converted  to  the  faith  of  his  ancestors.  He  em 
braced  the  doctrines  of  this  church  and  united  with  it, 
January  5,  1834.  Four  of  his  children  and  a  daughter-in- 
law  had  previously,  at  one  time,  united  with  the  church, 
September  4,  1817. 

All  his  children,  and  very  nearly  all  his  grandchildren, 
resident  in  this  town,  have  become  members  of  the  church. 
One  of  them,  James  H.  Harwood,  is  a  minister  of  the  gos 
pel.  Thus  the  stream  of  descendants,  turned  aside  tem 
porarily  from  the  faith  of  the  ancestors,  turned  back  again 
in  solid  body  to  that  faith. 


1  A  communication  in  the  "  Vermont  Gazette,"  of  May  3,  1863,  evidently  from 
the  pen  of  an  admirer  of  Mr.  Winchester,  shows  him  to  have  had  an  insinuating 
and  popular  address.  "  The  sentiments  of  the  late  pious  Mr.  Winchester,  in 
coincidence  with  the  above  liberal  mode,  were  once  delivered  in  an  agreeable 
mariner  in  this  town,"  etc.  On  his  last  visit  to  Bennington,  "  he  happened  to  ar. 
rive  within  a  few  miles  on  Saturday  evening;  laboring  under  some  disease,  but 
anxious  to  hear  the  reverend  and  pious  Mr.  Job  Swift  on  the  Sabbath  ensuing 
he  rode  several  miles,  across  an  exceedingly  bad  road."  When  arrived  and  in 
the  service,  he  gave  exceedingly  fixed  attention  to  Mr.  Swift's  sermon;  at  noon 
he  "  walked  with  some  difficulty  to  the  house  where  the  church  generally  con 
vened,  to  pass  that  period  in  suitable  exercises  and  prayer"  (doubtless  at 
"Grandmother  Robinson's  ").  Here  he  was  recognized  by  "  a  leading  church- 
member"  "  who  had  formerly  had  a  slight  acquaintance  with  him  in  Philadel 
phia;  "  and  a  dialogue  ensued,  of  which,  as  described,  the  following  is  a  part. 
"Mr.  Swift  said,"  .  .  .  — stating  some  doctrinal  observation,  —  "  and  I 
conceive  you  could  not  fully  coincide  with  him  in  those  sentiments."  —  "  Truly," 
resumed  the  worthy  man  .  .  .  .  "  while  plenty  abounded  and  no  one  felt 
a  lack,  what  need  had  I  to  repine  at  your  helping  yourself  to  a  slice  that  would 
not  have  been  so  savory  to  my  taste,  and  while  all  have  abundance,  let  each  re. 
gard  his  fellow  with  complacency."  .... 
19 


218  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  remaining  son  of  Mrs.  Bridget  Harwood,  who  came 
with  her  in  the  first  company  of  settlers,  Stephen,  was  at 
that  time  ten  years  of  age. 

The  Harwoods,  according  to  tradition,  were,  —  as  were 
so  many  others  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  town,  —  Sepa 
rates.  The  descendants  of  this  family  are  very  numerous ; 
indeed,  the  most  so  of  the  three  families  (Robinsons, 
Saffords,  and  Harwoods),  all  so  numerously  represented  in 
Mrs.  Robinson's  genealogical  record.  At  present  there  are 
more  members  in  the  Bennington  First  Church  of  the  name 
of  Harwood  than  of  any  other. 

A  few  extracts  from  the  diary  of  Benjamin  Harwood  may 
interest  the  reader,  as  near-at-hand  glimpses  of  a  worthy 
man,  such  as  cannot  now  otherwise  be  obtained  :  — 

His  honor.  —  "March  13,  1807. — Nathan  Robinson  received  of 
me  this  day  ten  bushels  of  wheat  at  7s.  per  bushel.  Nothing 
but  honor  made  me  part  with  the  wheat  at  the  above  price,  for  I 
can  get  8s.  7cl.  at  Troy  for  it.  Mr.  Robinson  bargained  for  the 
wheat  last  fall  when  it  went  at  the  price  which  he  now  gives." 

An  eye  for  beauty.  —  "  June  15,  1808.  —  Nothing  about  us  seems 
more  pleasant  at  this  time  tlfan  a  view  of  Mt.  Anthony,  every  tree 
from  its  base  to  its  summit  being  completely  covered  with  green 
leaves." 

His  hospitality.  —  "  Jan.  30, 1809.  — Uncle  Zechariah,  his  son  Abel, 
and  son-in-law  Hugh,  and  their  wives,  and  Ruth  Harwood,  came 
and  made  us  a  visit.  Next  arrived  Mr.  Moses  Donaldson  on  his 
way  home  to  Coleraine ;  after  him  Mr.  Stearns,  wife,  and  daughter; 
and  the  last  to  come  was  our  good  friend,  Mr.  Case,  of  Hoosick, 
bringing  with  him  brother  and  sister  Stone,  and  their  youngest 
daughter.  Beside  those  I  have  mentioned,  a  considerable  collec 
tion  of  the  young  people  of  the  neighborhood  spent  the  evening 
here.  Except  Uncle  Zechariah  and  his  people,  who  returned  in  the 
evening,  those  whose  names  I  have  mentioned  tarried  here  all 
night." 

Entries  like  the  last  of  the  above  frequently  recur  in  the 
diary. 


THE   HARWOODS.  219 

Old  folks'  mowing  match.  —  ''May  31,  1808.  —  Late  in  the  after 
noon  Governor  Robinson  and  his  lady  came  here  on  a  visit.  The 
old  gentlemen  felt  pretty  smart,  talked  upon  religion,  and  read  the 
Bible  most  of  the  time  while  he  was  here.  I  am  requested  to  men 
tion  one  circumstance  which  occurred  this  afternoon,  though  not 
of  more  importance  than  many  others  mentioned  in  this  journal. 
My  father  commonly  mows  his  door-yard  about  this  time.  It  hap 
pened  that  he  wanted  to  mow  it  to-day.  So  himself,  Governor 
Robinson,  and  Mr.  Warner,  each  took  a  turn  at  mowing,  to  see 
which  one  could  cut  his  grass  the  most  handsomely.  The  matter 
being  left  to  themselves,  each  decided  in  his  own  favor.  My  father 
will  be  seventy-three  years  of  age  in  July  next,  Governor  Robin 
son  is  about  sixty-nine,  and  Mr.  Warner  sixty-seven." 

Of  the  above-named  Perez  Harwood,  it  may  be  said  that, 
a  son,  HeniT,  two  daughters,  Lucinda  and  Ruhama,  a 
brother,  Hiram,  and  a  brother's  wife,  S}Tlvia,  and  a  second 
cousin,  Hiram,  2d,  united  with  the  church  Sept.  4,  1817. 
He  himself,  as  above,  Jan.  5,  1834.  He  died  at  the  ad 
vanced  age  of  eighty-nine,  Dec.  9, 1859,  —  social  and  agree 
able  in  conversation,  firm  in  the  faith  of  Jesus,  and  with  a 
victorious  hope.  A  grandson,  Isaac  Harwood,  became  deeply 
interested  (1854)  in  an  incipient  missionary  Sabbath-school 
movement  in  the  north-east  part  of  the  town  ;  dying  two 
3*ears  afterward,  absorbed  with  prayer  and  desire  for  this 
school.  His  father,  Henry,  succeeded  him,  and  has  been 
succeeded  by  others  in  charge  of  the  school.  In  the  third 
and  fourth  years  of  its  history  it  was  blessed  with  a  power 
ful  revival  of  religion  in  the  neighborhood,  and  many  con 
verts,  among  them  the  Rev.  Simeon  Knapp,  a  devoted  and 
successful  minister  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  who  has 
since  died. 

Of  the  above-named  Benjamin  Harwood,  his  wife  was 
Diadama  Deicey.  They  were  married  April  18, 1786.  She 
was  born  Jan.  5,  1766,  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  daughter  of  Ab- 
ner  Dewey,  born  in  Westfield,  Mass.,  and  married,  1776,  in 


220  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Bennington.  She  united  with  the  church  Sept.  22,  1825, 
and  deceased  June  22, 1854,  aged  eighty-eight ;  clear-minded 
and  bright-eyed  to  the  last,  and  with  vivid  recollection  of 
events  occurring  long  since  in  the  history  of  the  town.  A 
daughter  and  namesake,  Mrs.  Hiram  Waters,  united  with 
the  church  Jan.  3,  1836,  died  Sept.  19,  1864  ;  of  superior 
loveliness,  consistency,  and  excellence  in  all  the  relations 
of  life. 

GEORGE  P.  HARWOOD,  son  of  Jonas,  and  grandson  of  Pe 
ter  and  Margaret  Harwood,  united  with  the  church  Jan.  3, 
1836,  died  May  14,  1868  ;  was  one  of  the  trustees  of  the 
First  Church. 

II.  SAMUEL  AND  TIMOTHY  PRATT,  with  their  wives, 
Baty  and  Elizabeth,  came  with  the  very  first  immigration. 
The  names  of  all  but  Timothy  are  on  the  roll  of  the  church 
at  its  organization  ;  Timothy  Pratt  is  on  the  records  as 
uniting  with  the  church,  with  others,  Jan.  3,  1765  ;  also, 
"Esther,  wife"  —it  is  to  be  inferred  second  wife — "of 
Samuel  Pratt." 

The  names  of  Samuel  Pratt  and  Timothy  Pratt  are  on 
the  "  muster  roll 1  of  the  Jfirst  company  of  militia  in  the 
town  of  Bennington,  organized  Oct.  24,  1764,"  of  which 
John  Fassett  was  captain.  Their  names  are  also  among 
those  of  officers  appointed  at  the  first  town  meeting  held 
March  31,  1762,  at  the  house  of  John  Fassett. 

The  names  John  Pratt  and  Silas  Pratt  are  on  a  "  list  of 
the  persons  settled  in  Bennington  prior  to  June  1,  1765, 
prepared  from  recollection,  by  Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  in 
New  York  city,  in  December  of  that  year,  and  furnished 
the  governor  of  that  province."  2 

1  Found  among  the  papers  of  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey  by  his  grandson,  E.  D.  Hub- 
bell,  Esq. 

2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  144. 


COL.    SAMUEL    JROBINSON.  221 

The  first  settlers  of  this  name  came  from  Amherst,  Mass., 
and  settled  in  the  easterly  portion  of  the  town.  Among 
their  descendants  Stephen  Pratt  resided  in  what  has  since 
been  raised  and  is  now  the  Stark  House.  E.  S.  Pratt, 
residing  where  was  the  house  of  Roger  Booth,  is  a  descend 
ant. 

ELISHA  BILLINGS  PRATT,  who  married  Clara,  daughter  of 
Samuel  and  Aurelia  (Mather)  Safford,  was  son  of  Stephen 
Pratt. 

III.  LEONARD  ROBINSON  was  the  oldest  child  of   Sam 
uel   Robinson,  Sen.     He    came  here,  with   his  family,  in 
the    first  company  of   settlers.      He   was   born   in    Hard- 
wick,  Mass.,  July  27,  1736.      He    married  his  first  wife, 
Rebecca  Billings,  in  Hardwick,  and  his  first  two  children 
were  born   there.     She  united  with  this   church  April  14, 
1765.    He  united  with  the  church  December  20,  1764.    His 
frequently  leading  the  Friday  prayer-meeting,  and  "  lining 
out  the  psalm"  with  a  peculiar  tone,  has  been  spoken  of  as 
familiar  to  the  old  inhabitants.     He  was  first  sergeant  in 
Capt.  John  Fassett's  military  company.     He  was  forty-one 
3"ears  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  Bennington  battle,  and  in 
Capt.  Samuel  Robinson's  company.     From  the  Bennington 
battle  anecdote  related  of  him,  among  the  incidents  of  that 
battle,  in  a  previous  part  of  this  volume,  his  piety  would 
seem  to  have  been  of  that  kind  that  "  trusts  God,  but  keeps 
the  powder  dry" 

Late  in  life  he  removed  to  Swanton,  and  died  September 
29,  1827.  He  had  sixteen  children. 

IV.  COLONEL    SAMUEL    ROBINSON   was   second   child   of 
Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.  ;   "  was  born  at  Hardwick,  Mass., 
August  15,  1738  ;  was  one  of  the  first  company  of  settlers 

19* 


222  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

who  came  to  Bennington  in  1761  ;  married  Hannah  Clark, 
in  Hardwick,  Mass. ;  and,  for  his  second  wife,  in  Benning 
ton,  Esther,  daughter  of  Deacon  Joseph  Safford,  and  died 
in  Bennington,  May  3,  1813. 

He  was  an  active  man  in  the  New  York  controversy, 
and  in  the  other  early  affairs  of  the  town;  in  1768  was 
chosen  town  committee,  in  place  of  his  father,  deceased  ; 
commanded  one  of  the  Bennington  companies  of  militia  in 
Bennington  battle ;  performed  other  important  military 
services  during  the  war,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  colonel. 
In  1777  and  1778,  he  had  charge,  as  "overseer,"  of  the 
tory  prisoners;  and,  in  1779  and  1780  represented  the 
town  in  the  General  Assembly,  and  was  for  three  years  a 
member  of  the  Board  of  War.  He  was  the  first  justice  of  the 
peace  appointed  in  town,  under  the  authority  of  Vermont, 
in  1778,  and  was  also,  during  the  same  year,  one  of  the 
judges  of  the  Special  Court  for  the  south  shire  of  the 
county,  and,  in  that  capacity,  sat  on  the  trial  and  convic 
tion  of  Redding. 

Col.  Robinson  was  a  man  of  good  natural  abilities,  and 
of  much  activity  and  enterprise  in  early  life  ;  upright  and 
honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  possessing  undoubted  per 
sonal  courage,  and  beloved  by  all  for  the  kindness,  gener 
osity,  and  nobleness  of  his  nature  and  conduct.1 

"  He  was  one  of  the  eight  persons  who,  in  1781,  certified, 
in  writing,  their  approval  of  the  efforts  of  Ira  Allen  to 
prevent  the  invasion  of  the  State  by  finessing  with  Gen. 
Hal  dim  and.  His  patriotism  was  never  doubted."2 

He  left  numerous  worthy  and  respectable  descendants, 
some  of  whom  reside  in  this  town,  and  others  in  different 
parts  of  this  State  and  the  United  States. 

DR.  BENJAMIN  ROBINSON,  son  of  Col.  Samuel  Robinson, 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p..  168.  2  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  4G8. 


DR.    BENJAMIN  ROBINSON.  223 

became  a  physician,  and  settled  in  Fayetteville,  N.  C. ; 
obtained  a  wide  and  eminent  practice  in  his  profession, 
and  was  highly  respected  as  a  citizen.  He  was  born  in 
Benniugton,  February  11,  1776,  and  died  in  his  adopted 
place  of  residence,  in  1857. 

In  the  "  Vermont  Historical  Magazine  "  is  the  following 
interesting  account  of  the  introduction  of  vaccination  into 
Bennington :  "  Dr.  Benjamin  Robinson,  a  young  physi 
cian,  son  of  Col.  Samuel  Robinson,  advertised,  in  the  '  Ver 
mont  Gazette,'  under  date  of  December  17,  1800,  that  he 
was  '  inoculating  for  the  kine,  or,  as  it  is  commonly 
called,  the  cow-pox;'  and  stating  'that  he  has  the  best  Eu 
ropean  authority  for  warranting  him  in  publicly  declaring, 
that  when  a  person  has  once  had  the  kine-pox,  he  is  forever 
infallibly  secure  against  catching  the  small-pox  by  any  pos 
sible  exposure.'  And  he  stated,  in  some  detail,  the  evi 
dence  on  which  his  declaration  was  founded.  In  a  publica 
tion  in  the  '  Gazette,'  of  the  2d  of  February  following,  Dr. 
Robinson,  among  other  proofs  of  the  efficacy  of  the  kine- 
pox,  states  that  he  had  inoculated  Russell  Haswell,  He- 
man  Robinson,  and  Samuel  Follett,  lads  from  thirteen  to 
seventeen  years  of  age,  with  the  kine-pox ;  that  after 
having  it,  the}*  had  entered  the  pest-house  and  been  inocu 
lated,  by  Mr.  Harwood,  with  the  small-pox,  and  '  were  ex 
posed  to  the  contagion  of  ten  or  twelve  persons  in  the  vari 
ous  stages  of  the  disease,'  and  that  not  one  of  them  was  in 
the  least  degree  affected  with  the  pest-house  disease." 


CHAPTER    XV. 

PERSONAL     NOTICES. 
SECOND  IMMIGRATION. 

yEACON  JOHN  FASSETT  was  born  April  1,  1720.  He 
was  one  of  the  second  company  of  settlers  in  Ben- 
nington,  in  1761.  At  his  house  the  first  town  meet 
ing  was  held  in  March,  1762.  He  resided  about 
half  a  mile  south  of  the  meeting-house,  near  what 
has  been  lately  known  as  the  Doctor  Swift  place. 
He  kept  a  tavern,  and  the  town  meetings  were  at  the 
house  of  "  John  Fassett,  inn-holder,"  until  1767,  when  they 
were  at  the  meeting-house.  In  October,  1764,  Mr.  Fassett 
was  chosen  captain  of  the  first  military  company  formed  in 
the  town  (by  which  title  he  was  afterward  distinguished). 
He  was  one  of  the  two  representatives  of  the  town  in  the 
first  State  Legislature.  He  died  at  Bennington,  August 
12,  1794,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age.1 

His  name  is  upon  "  the  old  church  covenant,"  and  he 
was  one  of  the  members  of  the  Bennington  church  at  its 
organization,  and  the  first  clerk  of  the  church.  He  took  a 
leading  part  in  its  affairs.  His  name  constantly  occurs 
upon  committees  on  business,  in  the  church,  from  its  com 
mencement,  and  through  the  pastorates  of  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Dewey  and  Avery. 

He  was  leader  of  the  choir,  and,  with  very  few  excep 
tions,  the  leaders  of  the  choir,  through  the  first  century, 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


COL.    BENJAMIN  FASSETT.  225 

have  been  from  among  his  descendants.1  He  removed 
hither  from  Hardwick,  Mass.,  and  he  was  a  stanch 
Separate,  in  principle  a*nd  feeling,  through  life.  A  com 
mon  saying,  which  has  been  handed  down,  illustrates  his 
punctuality  and  strictness  in  religious  duties :  "It  is  as 
true  as  that  John  Fassett  will  be  at  prayer-meeting  at  such 
an  hour." 

His  children  were  Sarah  (wife  of  Dr.  Jonas  Fay),  John, 
Jonathan,  David,  Nathan,  Amos,  Mary,  Benjamin,  and 
Hannah. 

JOHN  FASSETT,  JR.,  united  with  this  church  under  Mr. 
Dewey,  August  29,  1765.  He  was  one  of  the  two  repre 
sentatives  from  Arlington  in  1778,  and  was  elected  one 
of  the  Council  in  1779,  which  office  he  held,  with  the  ex 
ception  of  the  years  1785  and  1786,  until  1795  ;  and  he  was 
also  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  for  eight  years,  1778- 
1786.2 

COL.  BENJAMIN  FASSETT  united  with  the  church  in  the 
Wood  and  Burton  revival,  Nov.,  1784.  He  was  for  some 
years  leader  of  the  choir.  He  came  to  Bennington  with 
his  father  in  1761.  He  was  a  commissary  in  the  war  of 
the  Revolution  ;  and  served  in  other  capacities  in  civil  and 
military  life,  was  an  active  business  man,  and  died  in  Ben 
nington  years  since,  leaving  numerous  descendants.3 

He  married  Betty,  daughter  of  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey.  She 
united  with  the  church  at  the  same  time  with  her  husband. 
They  had  three  daughters,  all  of  whom  became  members 

1  The  following  are  the  names  of  the  leaders  of  the  choir  for  the  first  century 
of  the  church's  history.  Those  in  italics  are  descendants  of  Deacon  John  Fas- 
sett:  Deacon  John  Fassett,  Judge  Jonathan  Kobinson,  Col.  Benjamin  Fassett, 
Col.  Jonathan  E.  Robinson,  Nathaniel  Dexter,  Gen.  Henry  Robinson,  Deacon 
Stephen  Bingham,  William  Bates,  Deacon  John  F.  Robinson,  Hon.  S.  H.  Brown, 
J.  Seymour  ^ferr^ll,  John  Fay. 

2,3  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


226  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

of  the  church ;  Betsey  (the  second  Mrs.  Uriah  Edgerton) 
and  Sarah,  in  1803  ;  and  Ruth  (Mrs.  Samuel  Fay) 
Nov.  10,  1822. 

Col.  Fassett  married  his  second  wife,  Mrs.  Hetty  Alvah, 
who  also  united  with  the  church  in  1803.  Benjamin 
Schenck  Fassett,  Adeline,  first  wife  of  Edward  H.  Swift, 
and  Mary,  wife  of  the  Rev.  Gordon  Hayes,  were  the  off 
spring  of  this  marriage.  A  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Hayes,  Lydia,  became  the  wife  of  a  missionary,  and  resides 
in  India.  The  last-named  three  children  of  Col.  Fassett 
also  became  members  of  the  church. 

Deacon  Fassett's  daughter,  Mary  (Mrs.  Judge  Jonathan 
Robinson),  and  his  son  Jonathan,  became  members  of  this 
church,  under  Mr.  Dewey  —  the  former,  Jan.  3,  1765;  the 
latter,  May  16,  1765, — and  a  daughter,  Hannah,  in  the 
Wood  and  Burton  revival. 

Of  the  above,  John  Fassett,  Jr.,  "  was  one  of  the  nine  or 
ten  persons  who  were  first  concerned  in  endeavoring  to 
prevent  Gen.  Haldimand  from  invading  the  State."  l  He 
was  father  of  Col.  Elias  Fassett,  of  the  thirtieth  United  States 
infantry,  in  the  war  of  1812.  The  following  allusion  to  Col. 
Fassett  is  taken  from  Hiram  Harwood's  Diary  of  1812  :  — 

"Monday,  June  7,  1813.  —  Many  of  us  went  down  to  where  Col. 
Fassett's  regiment  took  its  departure  for  Burlington,  which  they 
did  in  a  brilliant  manner."  2 

1  See  Biographical  Sketches  in  Hall's  Early  Vermont,  p.  463. 

2  "  Soon  after  the  admission  of  Vermont,  as  a  member  of  the  Federal  Union, 
this  town  became  and  long  continued  to  be  a  recruiting  station  for  the  army.   In 
the  spring  and  summer  of  1792,  Gen.  William  Easton,  afterward  distinguished 
in  the  war  with  Tripoli,  then  a  captain,  recruited  a  company  here,  and  at  its 
head  marched  to  Pittsburg  and  joined  the  army  under  General  Wayne,  then  pre 
paring  for  his  campaign  against  the  Indians.    Men  were  also  enlisted  here  for 
the  army  and  marine  service  during  the  administration  of  the  elder  Adams,  on 
the  apprehended  war  with  France.    It  was  also  a  recruiting  station  during  the 
war  of  1812,  and  in  1813  the  thirtieth  regiment  of  U.  S.  infantry,  under  Col.  Elias 
Fassett,  was  mustered  and  drilled  here,  preparatory  to  joining  the  army  for  act 
ual  service."  —  Vermont  Hist.  Mag,,  p.  136. 


DEACON  JOSEPH  SAFFORD.  227 

Col.  Benjamin  Fassett  bought  extensively  upon  the  east 
ern  border  of  the  town  and  resided  there,  afterward  building 
and  occupying  the  Dr.  Morgan  house,  opposite  the  court 
house. 

RUTH  FASSETT  (Mrs.  Samuel  Fay)  was  the  mother  of 
Samuel,  Benjamin,  and  John  Fay  —  a  devoted  mother,  kind 
neighbor,  full  of  hospitality,  and  much  attached  to  her  rel 
atives  and  friends  ;  died  Aug.  14,  1862,  aged  eighty. 

II.  DEACON  JOSEPH  SAFFORD  was  also  one  of  the  second 
company  of  settlers  in  Bennington,  1761.  At  the  meeting 
in  which  the  church  was  organized,  and  immediately  after 
that  business  was  disposed  of,  it  was  voted  :  — 

"  To  receive  in  Joseph  Safford  and  Anne  Safford,  his  wife,  into 
full  communion  with  this  church." 

He,  with  Eleazer  Harwood,  was  elected  to  the  office  of 
deacon,  at  the  first  election  of  this  kind  in  the  church  on 
record. 

His  wife  was  Ann  Bottom,  of  Norwich,  Conn.,  born  in 
1710.  He  was  born  in  1705,  at  Ipswich,  Mass.  At  the 
first  town  meeting  he  was  appointed  town  treasurer,  and 
one  of  the  tithing  men.  At  a  proprietor's  meeting,  March  31, 
1862,  it  was  voted  :  — 

"  To  give  Esquire  Samuel  Robinson  and  Deacon  Joseph  Safford 
five  acres  of  land,  with  the  privilege  within  the  said  five  acres  to 
build  a  corn-mill  on,  and  forty  dollars  in  case  it  be  built  by  August 
next."  "Also,  voted  to  give  forty  dollars  to  any  one  on  the  east 
side  of  the  town  who  should  build  a  saw-mill  by  the  first  day  of 
September  next." 

These  men  had  the  saw-mill  done  by  the  16th  of  June; 
and  the  time  was,  at  proprietor's  meeting,  extended  one 
month,  in  which  they  might  finish  the  corn-mill  and  get  the 
premium  of  forty  dollars. 


228  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Deacon  Safford  brought  with  him  to  this  town  the  records 
of  the  Newint  (Conn.)  Separate  Church.  These  are  still 
preserved  by  his  descendants  ;  and  also  a  manuscript  letter 
from  the  old  church  in  Newint,  signed  by  Daniel  Kirkland, 
its  pastor,  to  Joseph  Safford  and  others,  Separates,  with  a 
view  to  some  further  conference  on  the  matters  of  differ 
ence  between  the  separating  brethren  and  the  old  church. 
These  records  are  interesting,  as  containing  the  record  of 
Joseph  Safford's  formal  election  and  installation  to  the  office 
of  deacon  in  the  Separate  church  ;  also  their  confession  of 
faith,  and  covenant,  with  the  signatures  ;  also  an  impor 
tant  case  of  discipline,  spread  out  at  length,  showing  their 
strictness  and  success  in  maintaining  discipline  in  the  church. 

His  daughter  Esther  was  second  wife  of  Col.  Samuel 
Robinson  and  mother  of  ten  of  his  children  ;  Hannah 
(Mrs.  Follett),  Esther  (Mrs.  Hyde),  Samuel,  Benjamin, 
Polly,  Betsy  (Mrs.  Sears,  mother  of  Hon.  Benjamin  R. 
Sears),  Safford, Hiram,  Luc}-  (Mrs.  Montague),1  Sarah  (Mrs. 
Haswell).  His  daughter,  Abigail,  married  Jonathan  Scott, 
one  of  the  early  settlers  here  from  Sunderland,  Mass.  His 
son,  Col.  Joseph  Safford,  married  Marcy,  daughter  of  Samuel 
Robinson,  Sen. ;  Anna,  his  first  child,  married  Henry  Wai- 
bridge  ;  Cornelius  Cad3T,born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  married  his 
daughter  Elizabeth ;  David  married  Anna  Brewster ;  his 
daughter  Lucy  married  Samuel  Montague  (the  Sunder 
land  family),  and  was  mother  of  Elizabeth,  wife  of  Deacon 
afterward  the  Rev.  Eleazer  Harwood,  of  Pittsford  ;  Jacob 
married  Persis  Robinson,  daughter  of  Col.  Samuel  Robin 
son,  by  his  first  wife,  Hannah  Clark,  of  Hardwick ;  his 
daughter  Harriet  married  John  Fassett,  Jr. 

GEN.  SAMUEL  SAFFORD  was  the   eldest  son   of  Deacon 

iDied  Dec.,  1868,  se.  79. —  It  was  truly  said  of  her,  at  her  death,  "All  who 
know  her  must  feel  that  they  have  lost  a  friend." 


GEN.    SAMUEL    S AFFORD.  229 

Joseph  Safford.  "  He  was  born  at  Norwich,  Conn.,  April 
14,  1737,  and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers  of  Bennington. 
He  took  an  active  part  in  the  land-title  controversy  with 
New  York ;  and  on  several  occasions  represented  the  town 
in  conventions  of  the  settlers  for  defence  against  the  York 
ers  ;  and  also  for  forming  the  territory  into  a  separate 
State. 

When  the  committees  of  the  several  towns  met  at  Dorset, 
in  July,  1775,  to  nominate  officers  for  the  batallion  of 
Green  Mountain  Boys,  recommended  by  Congress,  he  was 
nominated  for  major,  under  Warner  as  lieutenant-colonel, 
and  served  as  such  in  the  battles  of  Hubbardton  and  Ben 
nington  and  throughout  the  war.  Before  the  close  of  the 
war  he  became  a  general  of  the  militia.  He  was  a  repre 
sentative  of  the  town  in  1781  and  1782,  and,  in  1783,  was 
elected  a  State  councillor,  and  served  as  such  for  nineteen 
years  in  succession.  For  twenty-six  successive  years,  end 
ing  in  1807,  he  was  chief  judge  of  the  County  Court  for 
Bennington  County.  He  was  an  upright  and  intelligent 
man,  of  sound  judgment  and  universally  respected.  He 
died  at  Bennington,  March  3,  1813."  l 

u  He  was  concerned  with  Chittenden  and  others  in  the 
Canada  negotiations,  and  his  patriotism  was  never  ques 
tioned."  2 

He  united  with  the  church  in  the  revival  under  the  Messrs. 
Wood  and  Burton,  1784;  and  his  wife,  Mary  Lawrence, 
some  two  years  afterward,  at  the  commencement  here  of 
the  ministry  of  Mr.  Swift.  He  was  elected  deacon  in  1789, 
and  continued  in  the  office  until  his  death  in  1813,. 

He  was  distinguished  for  exact  truthfulness  and  for  strict 
observance. of  the  Sabbath.  Saturday  evening  was  required 
to  be  kept,  under  his  roof,  as  strictly  as  Sunday.  Secular 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  175. 

2  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  468;  see,  also,  ibid.,  pp.  212,  221,  261,  325,363. 

20 


230  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

preparations  for  the  Sabbath  were  required  by  him  to  be 
made  before  sundown  of  the  day  before. 

His  wife,  Mary  Lawrence,  was  the  daughter  of  Jonathan 
Lawrence,  who  removed  with  his  family  to  Bennington, 
1772.  She  was  born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  April  8,  1741. 

Their  children  were  Samuel  (born  in  Norwich,  Conn., 
June,  24,  1761  ;  married  Aurelia  Mather,  in  Bennington, 
May  8,  1786,  deceased  in  1851  ;  he  was  the  father  of  Mrs. 
Cogswell  Morgan),  Mary,  John,  Ruth,  Anna,  Clara, 
Electa  (Mrs.  Webb),  Amelia,  and  Jonas.  He  resided  in 
the  house,  now  the  residence  of  Cogswell  Morgan,  —  Mrs. 
Morgan  being  his  grand-daughter. 

A  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Benjamin  Webb,  William  Webb, 
is,  or  was,  until  his  removal  to  Washington,  a  deacon  in 
the  Second  Congregational  Church.  Mary,  daughter  of 
Gen.  Safford,  married  Nathan  Fay,  son  of  John  Fay,  who 
was  killed  in  the  Bennington  battle. 

III.  DEACON  ERWIN  SAFFORD,  was  elected  deacon  May 
10,  1822,  and  removed  to  Philadelphia  in  1830.     He  was  a 
descendant  of  John,  brother  of  Deacon  Joseph  Safford. 

IV.  ELISHA  FIELD  was   one   of  the   members   of  the 
church  at  its  organization.     He  was  ensign  in  the  military 
company  organized  in  1764,  with  John  Fassett  as  captain. 
He  and^Deacon  Safford  were  the  tithing  men,  among  other 
town  officers,  appointed  in  the  first  town  meeting,  March 
81,  1762.     He  came  into  town  with  the  second  company  of 
settlers  in  1761. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  Separate  church  which  removed 
from  Sunderland.  There  are  seven  persons  of  the  name 
on  the  roll  of  this  church.  Four  of  them  united  in  the 
revival  in  1803.  Jesse  and  Mrs.  Nancy  Field  united  with 
the  church  in  1784,  in  the  revival  under  Messrs.  Wood, 


LIEUT.    BREAKENRIDGE.  231 

and   Barton.     He  was  one  of  the  building  committee  of 
the  new  meeting-house.     He  was  a  carpenter. 

He  was  in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  and  some  extracts 
from  his  manuscript  communication  have  been  given,  in  the 
account  of  the  battle,  in  this  volume. 

V.  LIEUT.  JAMES  BREAKENRIDGE  was  one  of  the  second 
company  of  settlers  (fall  of  1761),  and  his  name,  and 
that  of  William,  his  son,  are  on  the  old  covenant,  and  on 
the  roll  of  members  at  the  organization  of  the  church. 

He  was  a  large  landholder.  His  name  became  famous 
in  connection  with  the  important  fact  that  a  successful 
stand  was  made  by  the  settlers  of  Bennington,  on  his  farm 
and  at  his  residence,  against  the  first  and  onty  overt  at 
tempt  of  the  New  York  claimants  to  dispossess,  by  the 
sheriff  and  his  posse,  the  settlers  in  this  town  from  their 
New  Hampshire  grants. 

Mr.  Breakenridge  was  a  man  of  quiet  and  peaceable  dis 
position  and  habits,  though  his  property,  being  covered 
by  the  old  patents  of  Walloomsac,  necessarily  placed  him 
in  a  belligerent  attitude  toward  the  New  York  claimants. 
Although  indicted  as  a  rioter,  and  outlawed  with  Allen, 
Warner,  and  others,  by  the  New  York  government,  he  does 
not  appear  to  have  ever  taken  any  part  in  the  active  pro 
ceedings. 

He  was  sent  to  England,  by  a  convention  of  the  settlers, 
with  Jehiel  Hawley,  of  Arlington,  as  his  associate,  in 
1772,  to  ask  relief  from  the  crown  against  the  New  York 
claimants  and  government ;  but  the  ministry  were  too 
much  absorbed  with  their  project  of  taxing  America  to 
give  their  attention  to  the  matter.  Mr.  Breakenridge  was 
chosen  lieutenant  of  the  first  military  company  formed  in 
Bennington,  in  1764,  and  is,  therefore,  frequently  desig 
nated  in  the  records  of  the  town,  by  that  title.1 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


232  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY.  & 

The  father  of  Lieutenant  James,  whose  name  also  was 
James,  was  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  removed  thence  to 
Ireland ;  and  removed  from  Ireland  to  this  country  in 
1727,  and  settled  in  Ware,  Mass.,  whence  Lieut.  James 
Breakenridge  removed  to  Bennington.  There  was  a  brother 
of  Lieut.  James,  named  William,  who  was  a  greatly  re 
spected,  and  very  influential  citizen,  in  Ware,  for  many 
years.1 

DANIEL  BREAKENRIDGE,  son  of  Lieut.  James  Breaken 
ridge,  of  commanding  form,  and  great  determination  and 
decision  of  character,  united  with  this  church  in  1803. 
Esther  Breakenridge  united  with  the  church  April  8,  1765, 
Hannah,  Jan.,  1803.  A  daughter  of  Lieut.  James  married 
Thomas  Henderson.  A  daughter  of  this  marriage,  Phebe 
Henderson,  married  Harry  Smith,  Esq.  Two  of  the  chil 
dren  of  this  marriage  became  ministers  of  the  gospel. 
Mrs.  Phebe  (Henderson)  Smith  married  a  second  husband, 
the  Rev.  Joel  Lindsley,  D.D.  A  son  of  this  marriage  be 
came  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 

The  Breakenridge  place  is  in  the  possession  and  occu 
pancy  of  John  Younglove  Breakenridge,  son  of  Daniel. 

MRS.  AZUBAH  BREAKENRIDGE,  wife  of  Daniel,  —  previ 
ously  Mrs.  Paine,  mother  of  Cornelia,  Mrs.  Tubbs  ;  then 
Mrs.  Haynes,  mother  of  Harriet  and  Martha  Haynes,  the 
first  and  second  Mrs.  Gen.  Henry  Robinson,  —  deceased 
Sept.  23,  1857,  at  an  advanced  age.  She  united  with  this 
church  May  6,  1821.  In  a  few  of  the  last  years  of  her  life, 
by  reason  of  the  infirmities  of  age,  not  able  to  leave  her 
house,  but  still  with  a  refined  and  earnest  welcome,  received 
her  kindred  and  friends  and  her  minister  to  the  enjoyment 
of  her  cheerful  hospitality. 

1  Ware  Historical  Address,  by  William  Hyde. 


DEACON  JOHN   WOOD.  233 

VI.  EBENEZER  WOOD  came  into  town  the  first  year  of 
the  settlement  of  the  town,  though  not  with  the  first  corn- 
pan}'.     He  was  one  of  the  committee,  appointed  in  the  first 
proprietors'  meeting,  to  choose  a  place  to  set  the  meeting 
house.     He  was  third  sergeant  in  Capt.  John   Fassett's 
company  of  militia.     He  united  with  the  church  Jan.  3, 
1765. 

DEACON  JOHN  WOOD  was  one  of  the  officers  of  Capt. 
Fassett's  company.  He  was  received  into  this  church  Dec. 
13,  1764.  His  name  is  also  down  on  the  old  covenant. 
He  was  elected  deacon  May  22,  1789,  at  the  same  time 
with  Gov.  Moses  Robinson,  and  Gen.  Samuel  SafFord. 
He  is  represented  as  a  severe,  exact,  and  very  determined 
man,  and  as  very  pious.  He  must  have  been  considerably 
advanced  in  }~ears  when  elected  deacon.  His  name  ap 
pears  frequently  upon  committees,  in  the  church  records, 
at  a  very  early  day,  —  as  far  back  as  June  19,  1766.  The 
wife  of  Deacon  Wood,  Hannah,  united  with  the  church 
June  20,  1765.  John,  a  son  of  theirs,  dedicated  by  them 
in  baptism,  Nov.  1,  1767,  married  Sarah,  daughter  of 
Joseph  Safford,  and  grand-daughter  of  Deacon  Joseph 
Safford.  Joseph  Safford  married  Marcy,  daughter  of 
Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.  John  Wood,  Jr.,  removed  to 
Malone,  N.  Y.  Deacon  Wood,  probably  then  a  very  old 
*  man,  removed  to  Malone,  in  1810.  He  resided  on  the 
place  where  is  now  the  residence  of  Elijah  Fillmore.  Ten 
individuals  of  the  name  of  Wood  are  on  the  roll  of  the 
church ;  none  of  that  name  are  now  connected  with  the 
church. 

VII.  GOVERNOR    MOSES  ROBINSON.  —  The    biographical 
sketch  of  Governor  Moses  Robinson,  by  Governor  Hall  in 
the  "  Vermont  Historical  Magazine,"  could  not  be  condensed 

21* 


234  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

with  justice  to  itself  and  its  subject,  and  it  is  too  long  for 
insertion  here.  The  reader  is  referred  to  that  article  for 
important  information  of  his  public  career  ;  and  this  notice 
would  confine  itself  to  particulars  not  therein  contained,  save 
to  say  in  brief,  that  he  was  chosen  town  clerk  at  the  first 
meeting  of  the  town,  and  for  nineteen  years  ;  colonel  of  the 
militia,  and  at  the  head  of  his  regiment  at  Mount  Inde 
pendence  on  its  evacuation  by  Gen.  St.  Clair ;  member  of 
the  famous  Council  of  Safety  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of 
Bennington,  and,  during  the  campaign  of  that  3Tear ;  chief 
justice  in  the  Supreme  Court  on  its  first  organization,  and 
for  ten  years  ;  when  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  governor 
of  the  State  by  the  Legislature ;  in  1782  one  of  the  agents 
of  Vermont  in  the  Continental  Congress  ;  and  on  the  ad 
mission  of  Vermont  into  the  Union  one  of  the  senators  in 
Congress. 

He  was  born  in  Hard  wick,  Mass.,  March  26,  1741,  and 
came  with  his  father,  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.,  in  the  summer 
or  fall  of  1761,  to  Bennington. 

He  was  hopefully  converted  at  twenty-four  years  of  age. 
It  was  in  the  summer  time  ;  he  was  in  the  field  at  work 
when  he  received  light.  lie  was  so  overjoyed,  he  hastened 
across  the  field,  forgetting  his  hat,  to  inform  his  pastor,  Mr. 
Dewey,  of  the  happy  change  his  feelings  had  undergone. 
He  was  received  into  the  church  with  six  others,  June  20, 
1765.  He  was  proverbial  for  the  fervency  and  unction  of 
his  prayers,  when  leading  others  at  the  throne  of  grace,  and 
for  always  guiding,  when  it  was  possible,  the  conversation 
into  the  subject  of  religion. 

Judge  Stephen  Robinson  used  to  say  that  when  a  lad  at 
home  in  his  father's  house  (the  present  residence  of  G.  W. 
Robinson)  he  could  hear  the  whole  of  Governor  Moses 
Robinson's  prayer  at  the  meeting-house.  It  is  related  of 
him  that  being  across  the  mountain,  to  attend  to  some  busi- 


GOVERNOR   MOSES   ROBINSON.  235 

ness  of  settling  an  estate,  and  there  being  a  prospect  of 
some  time  elapsing  before  the  preparations  would  be  com 
pleted  for  proceeding  with  the  business,  he  proposed,  and  it 
was  agreed  to,  that  the  interval  should  be  devoted  to  a 
prayer-meeting. 

He  is  remembered  as  often  repeating  the  expression, 
and  with  unction,  "  As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will 
serve  the  Lord."  Persons  still  living  remember  him  as 
leading  the  meeting  in  the  absence  of  the  minister,  and 
"  lining  out "  the  psalm. 

At  one  prayer-meeting  which  appeared  rather  dull,  the 
two  other  gentlemen  who  were  deacons  with  himself  were 
present,  and  he  led  the  meeting.  He  called  on  one  of 
them  to  lead  in  prayer,  who,  after  several  ineffectual 
attempts  by  "hemming"  to  clear  his  throat, wished  to  be 
excused.  Governor  Robinson  then  called  on  the  other,  who 
also  desired  to  be  excused  ;  thereupon  the  governor  under 
took  the  duty  himself,  and  gave  the  following  vent  to  his 
thoughts  :  u  0  Lord  !  thou  knowest  we  have  come  up  here 
this  afternoon  to  worship  Thee,  and  we  are  cold  and  luke 
warm  as  it  were,  —  I  fear  at  least  some  of  us  are."  The 
associate  deacons  knew  well  enough  who  were  meant,  but 
conceived  no  offence. 

Governor  Robinson  was  possessed  of  great  wealth.  The 
town  was  noted  in  his  day  for  the  wealth  of  its  inhabitants, 
and  he  was,  perhaps,  more  distinguished  than  any  other  in 
this  respect.  It  is  affirmed  that  his  liberality  to  the  cause 
of  religion  here  corresponded  to  his  ability. 

He  was  elected  deacon  May  22,  1789,  and  continued 
in  that  office  until  his  death,  May  26,  1813.  In  a  letter, 
preserved  by  G.  W.  Robinson,  of  condolence,  to  Gen.  David 
Robinson  on  the  death  of  his  second  wife,  a  letter  of  that 
lady  is  referred  to  in  which  Mrs.  Robinson  "  mentioned  the 
happy  death  of  Governor  Robinson,  and  observed  that  if 


236  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

she  could  feel  as  he  did,  it  would  be  worth  ten  thousand 
worlds." 

He  married  Mary,  daughter  of  Stephen  Fay,  who  united 
with  the  church  May  16,  1765,  and  after  her  death,  Miss 
Susannah  Howe,  who  united  with  the  church  May  5,  1811. 
By  his  first  wife  he  had  six  sons  and  one  daughter. 

CAPT.  MOSES  ROBINSON,  JR.,  first  child  of  Gov.  Moses 
Robinson,  was  born  in  Bennington,  Nov.  16,  1763.  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Council  in  1814  ;  and  was  several  times, 
in  1820  and  afterward,  representative  of  the  town  in  the 
General  Assembly. 

He  was  appointed,  Jan.  30,  1804,  building  agent  in  chief 
for  the  building  of  the  new  meeting-house.  A  building 
committee  previously  appointed  was  to  draw  plans  and 
advise  with  Capt.  Moses  Robinson.  He  was  to  make  con 
tracts  and  draw  on  the  treasurer.  He  married  Ruth, 
daughter  of  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey,  and  grand-daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Jedidiah  Dewey.  Two  of  his  grand-children  are  minis 
ters  of  the  gospel,  —  Thomas  Wright  and  Henry  M.  Swift. 

MAJOR  AARON  ROBINSON,  the  second  son  of  Gov.  Moses 
Robinson,  was  born  May  4,  1767.  He  united  with  this 
church  in  the  revival  in  1803.  He  was  town  clerk  seven 
years,  in  1815  and  afterward  ;  a  justice  of  the  peace  twenty- 
three  years  ;  a  Representative  of  the  Assembly  in  1816-17  ; 
and  Judge  of  Probate  in  1835-6  ;  and  died  in  1850.1  He 
was  clerk  of  the  church  from  Jan.  24,  1820,  until  his 
decease.  His  faithful  entries  upon  the  church  records,  in 
a  remarkably  clear  and  regular  hand,  are  models  to  those 
who  have  similar  duties  to  perform. 

His  first  wife  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Major  Wait  Hopkins 
(killed  by  the  Indians  in  Xew  York  in  the  Revolutionary 

i  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


GOV.    JOHN  S.    ROBINSON.  237 

War  !) ,  and  Mindweli,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Jedidiah  Dewey. 
His  second  wife  was  Mary  Lyman,  daughter  of  David 
Lyman,of  Connecticut,  born  May  3,  1778,  died  March  28, 
1852.  She  united  with  the  church  in  1811,  and  possessed 
devoted  piety,  constant  and  fervent  in  prayer. 

Major  Aaron  Robinson  and  his  wife  were  warm  friends  of 
the  Rev.  Absalom  Peters,  D.D.,  while  he  was  pastor  of  the 
church,  and  very  averse  to  his  pastoral  relation  with  this 
church  being  dissolved.  Mrs.  Robinson  addressed  to  him,  in 
a  few  stanzas  of  poetry,  the  expression  of  her  appreciation  of 
him  as  her  minister,  which  testimonial  was  highly  prized  by 
Dr.  Peters,  but  became  mislaid,  and  cannot  be  found. 

NATHAN  ROBINSON,  Esq.,  fourth  son  of  Gov.  Moses 
Robinson,  was  the  father  of  Gov.  John  Stamford  Robinson. 

Gov.  JOHN  S.  ROBINSON  was  born  in  Bennington,  Nov. 
10,  1804;  graduated  at  Williams  College  in  1824  ;  admitted 
to  the  Bennington  County  Bar  in  1827  ;  was  twice  a  repre 
sentative  of  Bennington  in  the  General  Assembly  ;  twice  a 
member  of  the  State  Senate  ;  in  1853,  on  the  failure  of  an 
election  by  the  people,  was  chosen  governor  by  joint  ballot 
of  the  two  houses. 

He  belonged  to  the  Democratic  party,  and  was  frequently 
supported  by  his  political  friends  for  member  of  Congress, 
governor,  and  other  important  offices  ;  but  his  party  being 
generally  in  the  minority,  he  was  unsuccessful  except  as 
before  stated.  He  died  in  Charleston,  S.  C.,  April  24, 
1860,  while  attending  the  National  Democratic  Conven 
tion,  where  he  was  chairman  of  the  delegation  from  Ver 
mont. 

The  legal  attainments  and  high  order  of  talent  of  Gov. 
John  S.  Robinson  placed  him  at  an  early  day  in  the  front 

1  Mrs.  Robinson's  Genealogical  History. 


238  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

rank  of  his  profession,  which  position  he  always  maintained. 
Generous  of  heart,  amiable  in  disposition,  and  with  integ 
rity  undoubted,  he,  by  his  uniform  courtesy  and  kindness, 
endeared  himself  to  all  with  whom  he  had  business  or 
intercourse.  His  remains  were  brought  for  interment  to 
his  native  town,  where  his  funeral  was  attended  by  the 
members  of  the  bar  in  a  body,  as  mourners,  and  by  a  large 
concourse  of  acquaintances  and  friends,  —  an  impressive 
funeral  discourse  being  delivered  by  President  Hopkins, 
with  whom  he  had  received  his  college  education."  1 

l  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES. 

SECOND  IMMIGRATION,  CONTINUED. 

)ENERAL  DAVID  ROBINSON  was  the  eighth  child 
of  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.  He  was  born  at  Hard- 
wick,  Mass.,  Nov.  22,  1754,  and  came  to  Ben- 
nington  with  his  father  in  1761,  being  then  a  lad 
of  seven  years.  He  was  in  the  battle  of  Benning- 
ton  as  a  private  in  the  militia,  and  afterward  rose, 
by  regular  promotion,  to  the  rank  of  major-general,  which 
office  he  resigned  about  1817.  He  was  sheriff  of  the  county 
for  twenty -two  years,  ending  in  1811  ;  when  he  was  ap 
pointed  United  States  Marshal  for  the  Vermont  District, 
which  office  he  held  for  eight  years  until  1819.1 

He  possessed  a  powerful  constitution  and  great  courage. 
A  desperate  individual  had  committed  crimes  and  escaped 
the  law,  and  all  were  afraid  of  him.  He  had  fled  to  a  hay 
loft,  and  General  Robinson  went  in  pursuit  of  him.  The 
neighbors  of  the  general  warned  him  to  be  cautious  in 
approaching  a  person  so  dangerous,  and  endeavored  to  dis 
suade  him  from  ascending  to  the  man's  retreat.  Gen.  Robin 
son,  however,  paid  no  attention  to  these  remonstrances,  but 
immediately  went  up  on  the  loft  and  arrested  the  criminal 
without  harm.  In  the  winter  before  the  Bennington  battle, 
the  British  had  command  of  Lake  Champlain  by  the  de 
struction  of  the  American  fleet  under  Arnold.  They  had  a 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


240  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

large  force  at  St.  John's.  The  Americans  held  only  Ticon- 
deroga ;  all  north  of  that  point  was  under  control  of  the 
enemy,  and  tidings  came  that  a  company  of  defenceless 
women  and  children  were  there.  It  was  two  hundred  miles 
away,  and  the  snow  from  two  to  four  feet  deep.  David 
Kobinson,  a  young  man  about  twenty-two,  holding  himself 
as  a  minute-man,  went  to  the  rescue  of  those  helpless  and 
imperilled  ones  ;  forming,  with  one  Deming  from  Arling 
ton,  and  a  few  others,  a  small  detachment  for  this  object. 
They  accomplished  their  magnanimous  purpose,  and  con 
veyed  the  women  and  children  to  a  fort  for  safety  on  the 
Connecticut  River.  On  his  return  he  had  at  length  one 
companion,  a  broad-shouldered  six-footer.  Mr.  Robinson 
proved  the  most  enduring  of  the  two,  —  his  comrade  tiring 
out  some  day  and  a  half  before  they  reached  home,  so  that 
Robinson  carried,  for  the  remainder  of  the  way,  his  own 
gun  and  knapsack  and  his  comrade's  also. 

He  was  fond  of  warming  his  blood,  of  a  frosty  morning, 
on  his  wood-pile,  without  coat  or  hat,  only  a  good  sharp  axe 
in  his  hand.  Mrs.  Robinson  would  remonstrate  :  "You  will 
surely  catch  your  death  by  such  exposure."  His  laconic 
reply  would  be  :  "  Well,  I  can't  catch  it  but  once." 

"Prompt"  was  a  favorite  expression  with  him,  and  when 
he  placed  a  boy  in  the  saddle  to  do  an  errand,  he  was  ac 
customed  to  say  to  the  lad,  "  Do  you  go,  and  COME." 

He  was  deeply  interested  in  everything  that  concerned 
the  prosperit}^  of  Bennington  ;  ever  read}7  to  bear  his  full 
share  of  the  burden  and  expense  of  public  worship,  and  of 
every  public  interest.  The  Rev.  E.  W.  Hooker,  D.D.,  his 
pastor,  preached  a  discourse  at  his  funeral,  which  was  pub 
lished.  Some  extracts  are  here  quoted  :  — 

"  The  precise  date  of  his  connection  with  the  church  in  this 
place  is  not  to  be  ascertained,  from  their  being  in  an  imperfect 
state.  He  is  supposed,  however,  to  have  made  a  profession  of  re- 


GEN.    DAVID   ROBINSON.  241 

ligion  in  his  young  manhood.  ...  In  his  religious  relations 
and  character,  if  General  Robinson  was  an  Independent  Congrega- 
tionalist,  so  was  he  also  a  man  sound  in  the  faith  of  the  fathers  of 
New  England.  .  .  .  The  infirmities  of  advancing  age  in  a  few 
of  the  last  months  and  years  of  his  life  of  course  rendered  it  many 
times  difficult  to  obtain  a  very  definite  knowledge  of  his  religious 
frame  of  mind.  For  some  time  previous  to  this,  however,  he  seemed 
gradually  withdrawing  his  thoughts  from  things  temporal ;  dis 
posed  to  converse  seriously  on  his  state  and  prospects,  and  to  re 
alize  himself  his  nearness  to  the  scenes  of  eternity,  and  their  deep 
and  affecting  solemnity.  In  the  intervals,  upon  his  views  and 
feelings  in  regard  to  eternal  things,  he  spoke  with  a  solemnity  and 
tenderness  indicating  a  deep  sense  of  their  superior  importance, 
and  such  as  should  testify  to  the  consciences  of  his  fellow-men  on 
their  own  concern  in  them,  as  also  hastening  forward  to  the 
judgment-seat?  of  Christ. 

In  illustration  of  his  religious  submission,  Doctor  Hooker 
related  to  the  writer  the  following  anecdote  :  — 

"  By  the  death  of  his  son,  Heman,  he  was  deeply  af 
flicted.  Others  were  with  him,  and  myself  also,  at  the  time, 
in  the  north  front  room.  Heman  was  dying  in  the  room 
above.  Some  time  had  elapsed,  and  we  were  expecting 
the  event.  His  brother  Stephen  came  down  to  the  foot  of 
the  stairs  and  said,  '  He  is  gone,  sir  ! '  General  Robinson, 
did  not  seem  to  hear  distinctly  the  announcement,  and  I 
said  to  him,  'Your  son  has  breathed  his  last.'  Rising 
from  his  chair,  *  Oh  ! '  said  he  ;  and,  proceeding  to  ascend 
the  stairs,  he  repeated  the  words,  '  Be  still,  and  know  that 
I  am  God.'" 

In  illustration  of  the  great  infirmity  of  his  advancing 
years,  to  which  allusion  is  made  in  the  above  extract  from 
Dr.  Hooker's  discourse,  let  an  anecdote  be  given,  related  to 
the  writer  by  Miss  Angelina  Selden.  She  was  in  at  the 
house  of  Henry  Kellogg,  Esq.,  where  Judge  Noah  Smith 
resided  formerly,  and  General  Robinson  came  in  during  his 
days  of  mental  decline,  as  he  was  passing  away.  He  in- 
21 


242  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTVRY. 

quired  if  Judge  Smith  was  in.  Mr.  Kellogg  replied  in  the 
negative.  He  persisted  in  inquiring  for  Judge  Smith,  and 
then  added,  "I  will  go  to  the  court  and  meet  Judge  Fay 
and  Judge  Brush."  Judge  Smith  had  been  dead  some  forty 
years,  and  the  other  gentlemen,  one  of  them  longer,  and 
the  remaining  one  perhaps  nearly  as  long.  The  old  man 
was  truly  living  in  the  past. 

He  died  Dec,  12,  1843,  at  the  age  of  eighty-nine. 

By  his  wife,  Sarah,  daughter  of  Stephen  Fay,  Esq.,  he 
had  three  sons,  who  became  heads  of  families. 

DAVID  ROBINSON,  ESQ.,  graduated  at  Williams  College  in 
1797,  and  became  a  lawyer.  His  second  wife,  Mrs.  Sarah 
Shewel,  daughter  of  Jesse  Dickerson,of  Morristown,  N.  J., 
a  lady  of  refinement  and  intelligence,  united  with  this  church 
Sept.  7,  1817.  Before  his  decease  he  executed  a  deed,  con- 
ve}dng  his  residence  to  this  church  and  societj7  for  a  par 
sonage.  He  died  in  March,  1858,  aged  eighty-one. 

HON.  STEPHEN  ROBINSON  was  successively  a  member  of 
the  Assembly  for  several  years,  a  judge  of  the  County 
Court,  and  a  member  of  the  Council  of  Censors  in  1834. 1 
He  received  hope  in  Christ,  and  gave  satisfactory  evidence 
of  his  conversion  in  his  last  sickness,  —  about  a  3rear  before 
his  death.  In  his  inquiring  state  of  mind  he  took  the  Bible, 
and  with  Scott's  and  Clark's  Commentaries  studied  it  care- 
futly.  He  became  convinced  of  the  impropriety  of  general 
visiting  on  the  Sabbath,  and  when  old  friends,  accustomed 
to  that  way,  called  on  Sunda3r,  he  expressed  his  pleasure  in 
seeing  them,  but  that  he  preferred  they  should  come  on 
some  other  day.  He  was  very  positive  in  his  opinions,  and 
in  his  expression  of  them,  but  he  was  so  candid  and  intelli 
gent  that  he  did  not  give  offence.  He  married  Sarah, 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


FAMILY   OF   GEN.    ROBINSON.  243 

daughter  of  Deacon  Aaron  Hubbell.  She  united  with  this 
church  May  4,  1817,  and  died  August,  1844. 

Of  seven  children,  the  first-born  died  at  six  years  of  age. 
The  others  became  members  of  this  church. . 

EDMUND  A.  ROBINSON  became  a  prosperous  and  highly- 
respected  merchant  in  Albany,  where  he  deceased  suddenly. 
For  some  of  the  recent  years  before  his  death,  having  a 
summer  residence  here,  and  for  a  few  }*ears  for  both  sum 
mer  and  winter,  he  was  ever  a  valued  friend  of  this  so- 
ciet}T,  aiding  and  encouraging  us  always  in  our  work, — 
generous,  intelligent,  genial ;  his  sudden  death  affected  this 
community  with  profound  surprise  and  sorrow. 

RUTH  ROBINSON  married  Professor  W.  H.  Parker,  of  Mid- 
dlebuiy  College,  and  deceased  some  jrears  since. 

DEWEY  HUBBELL  ROBINSON  became  a  physician,  and  was 
settled  in  the  practice  of  his  profession  in  Michigan,  and 
died  in  early  manhood. 

ANNE  CALDWELL  ROBINSON  deceased  Dec.  5,  1868.  She 
was  distinguished  for  her  zeal,  labor,  and  success  as  a 
teacher  in  the  Sabbath  school,  and  particularly  of  an  adult 
ladies'  Bible  class.  She  possessed  a  rare  intellect,  and 
great  firmness  in  adhering  to  right  and  truth  as  she  viewed 
them. 

MRS.  STEPHEN  ROBINSON,  JR.,  deceased,  daughter  of  Jo 
seph  Hinsdill,  deserves  note  for  the  amiableness  of  her 
disposition,  and  the  loveliness  and  consistency  of  her  Chris 
tian  character. 

HEMAN  ROBINSON  was  the  youngest  son  of  Gen.  David 
Robinson.  His  death  has  been  already  noticed.  It  took 
place  when  he  was  fifty  years  of  age.  He  married  Betse}*-, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Wadsworth,  and  had  twelve  children ; 
one  of  them,  the  oldest  son,  Judge  Albert  D.  Robinson, 
another,  George  W.  Robinson,  who  owns  and  occupies  the 


244  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

residence  and  farm  formerly  the  possession  of  General 
David  Robinson.  There  the  first  Mrs.  Samuel  Robinson, 
as  a  widow,  lived  and  died  with  her  son  David.  The 
family  have  an  excellent  portrait  of  General  Robinson. 
Gen.  Robinson's  third  wife,  Nancy,  daughter  of  James 
Caldwell,  and  widow  of  George  Church,  Hartford,  Conn., 
is  upon  the  church  record,  as  uniting  with  this  church 
October  18,  1816. 

II.  JUDGE  JONATHAN  ROBINSON,  the  youngest  son  of 
Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.,  was  born  at  Hard  wick,  Mass.,  Au 
gust  11,  1756,  and  came  to  Bennington  as  one  of  his  father's 
family.  He  was  a  lawyer,  and  was  early  in  public  life. 
He  was  town  clerk  six  years ;  represented  the  town 
thirteen  years ;  was  chief  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court 
from  1801  to  1807.  He  was  then  chosen  senator  to  Con 
gress,  to  fill  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  the  resignation  of 
Israel  Smith,  elected  governor  of  the  State  ;  and  was  also 
senator  for  the  succeeding  term  of  six  years,  which 
expired  March  3,  1815.  In  October,  1815,  he  became 
judge  of  probate  and  held  the  office  for  four  years,  and  in 
1818  again  represented  the  town  in  the  .General  Assembly. 
He  was  a  man  of  pleasant  and  insinuating  address,  and,  by 
his  talent  and  political  shrewdness,  occupied  a  leading 
position  in  the  Republican  party  of  the  State  for  many 
years.1 

He  was  averse  to  making  aristocratic  pretensions  among 
his  towns-people.  In  illustration  of  this,  the  following 
incidents  have  been  familiarly  related  to  the  writer.  There 
had  a  family  come  into  the  east  part  of  the  town  by  the 

name  of— .  The  young  people  of  this  family  were 

awkward  and  unused  to  company ;  Judge  Robinson  made 
a  party  at  his  house,  went  over  himself  and  invited 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


HOX.    JONATHAN  ROBINSON.  245 

them,  and  made  them  promise  to  come  ;  they  came,  and  he 
spent  the  evening  chiefly  in  entertaining  them,  and  in 
every  endeavor  to  make  them  feel  at  home. 

When  a  senator  in  Congress,  he  came  home  on  one 
occasion,  and  Sunday  morning,  as  the  family  were  prepared 
for  church,  his  daughter  Polly,  afterward  Mrs.  Merrill, 
came  into  the  room  dressed  handsomely  in  silk  ;  he  noticed 
the  dress  at  once,  and  made  inquiry  about  it ;  his  daughter 
answered  his  inquiries,  relating  that  her  mother  had  pur 
chased  it  of  a  peddler,  calling  his  attention  to  its  excellent 
quality,  and  seeking  his  approval  of  it  as  a  good  bargain. 
"  I  do  not  care  about  that,"  said  he  ;  "  go,  take  it  off,  and 
put  on  your  calico  dress,  or  you  shall  not  go  to  meeting 
with  me  ;  when  your  mates  have  silk  dresses  to  wear,  then 
you  may  wear  one."  Her  mother,  who  was  more  aristocrat 
ically  inclined,  had  bought  the  dress  when  he  was  absent 
at  Washington. 

He  had  great  influence  over  the  boys  in  the  street ;  he 
was  very  kind  to  them.  When  they  came  into  the  street  to 
play,  he  would  let  them  stay  until  eight  o'clock  in  the  even 
ing,  and  then  would  say,  "  Come,  boys,  now  you  must  go 
home  ;  "  and  they  complied.  On  the  16th  of  August,  they 
went  to  him  with  entire  confidence  for  money  with  which 
to  buy  powder  ;  and  also  on  the  4th  of  July.  He  was 
very  tender-hearted .  Theophilus  Harrington,  at  the  time 
assistant  judge,  said  to  Judge  Robinson  :  "Be  you 
the  judge,  and  Hyde  the  sheriff,  and  Spenser  the  State's 
attorney,  and  there  will  be  nobody  hung." 

The  following  reminiscence  gives  a  characteristic  feature 
of  those  l>3'-gone  times.  On  one  of  the  occasions  of  the 
return  from  college  of  Jonathan  E.,  his  son,  some  difference 
of  opinion  arose  between  them,  upon  some  subject  that  had 
been  introduced  into  their  conversation  at  the  table.  Jon 
athan  E.  said,  "  I  know  it  is  so,  and  I  ought  to  know  ;  I  am 
21* 


246  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

fresh  from  the  schools."  His  father  replied,  "  Well,  if  you 
are  fresh  from  the  schools,  I  can  throw  you  in  wrestling." 
"I  think  not,  father,"  was  the  quick  answer  of  the  young 
man  ;  for  he  had  returned  fresh  from  wrestling  as  well  as 
from  study.  "  Let  us  see,"  said  his  father.  They  arose 
from  the  table  ;  the  order  was  given  for  it  to  be  placed  one 
side,  and  the  middle  of  the  floor  cleared.  They  grasped 
each  other,  first  at  arms'-length,  but  the  younger  was  the 
more  agile,  and  obtaining  the  right  clinch  was  victorious ; 
Judge  Robinson  was  thrown  so  effectually,  and  so  far,  as 
nearly  to  overthrow  the  table  and  its  contents.  He  admit 
ted  his  son's  superiority  in  wrestling.  "  I  shall  not  try 
with  you  again  ; "  and  so  the  discussion  ended,  with  entire 
good  feeling  however.1 

He  united  with  the  church  in  the  Wood  and  Burton 
revival,  1784,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight.  He  was  elected 
clerk  of  the  church,  and  continued  so  until  his  death.  He 
was  fond  of  doctrinal  discussion  and  study,  and  of  hearing 
leading  ministers  of  the  gospel  preach,  and  used,  when 
they  were  temporarily  here,  to  invite  them  to  his  house. 
He  was  much  interested  in  the  prophecies,  and  corre 
sponded  with  the  Rev.  J.  Spaulding  on  the  subject. 

He  married  Mary    (born    in    Hard  wick,    Mass.,    1754 ; 


1  They  were  much  given  to  wrestling.  Governor  Moses  Robinson  was  over  the 
mountain  in  some  place,  and  passed  by  where  there  was  a  raising.  He  stopped 
and  assisted,  and  when  it  was  through  they  proceeded  as  usual  to  wrestle.  After 
wrestling  awhile,  he  stepped  up,  they  having  found  the  bully,  and  took  hold  of 
the  bully,  and  threw  him  at  once.  The  governor  was  long-legged,  and  they 
looked  at  his  legs  and  called  him  spindle-legged,  and  said  that  he  took  the  bully 
before  he  thought  of  it;  so  he  tried  the  bully  again,  and  threw  him  just  as 
quickly  as  before.  They  did  not  know  him  at  the  time,  but  soon  after  he  made 
himself  known  to  them. 

A  bully  came  from  Massachusetts,  and  inquired  for  the  Robinsons,  and  they 
set  forward  Jonathan  E.  He  immediately  floored  the  Massachusetts  man.  The 
stranger  looked  at  him,  and  said  he  could  not  do  that  again.  He  took  hold  again 
and  floored  him  as  soon  as  before.  He  said  he  would  not  try  again.  They 
had  what  they  called  "  the  Robinson  lock." 


JONATHAN  E.    ROBINSON,    ESQ.  247 

united  with  the  church,  1784  ;  died  July  15,  1822),  daugh 
ter  of  Deacon  John  Fassett.  Their  children  were  Jonathan 
Edwards,  Mary,  Henry,  and  Isaac  Tichenor. 

JONATHAN  E.  ROBINSON,  Esq.,  born  August  4,  1777,  was 
graduated  at  Williams  College,  1797  ;  married  Alice,  daugh 
ter  of  Deacon  Benjamin  Skinner,  of  Williainstown,  Mass. 
Their  daughter,  May  Alice,  married  Charles  Manning,  of 
New  York  cit}r.  These  had  a  son,  James  E.  Manning, 
died  February  17,  1856,  who  was  graduated  at  Williams 
College  in  1848. 

Mr.  Robinson,  after  the  death  of  his  first  wife,  married 
Anna  Storms,  daughter  of  Thomas  Storms,  of  New  York 
city.  He  died  April  27,  1831. 

He  united  with  the  church  in  1803.  He  was  town  clerk 
nine  years  ;  judge  of  the  County  Court  in  1828  ;  and  resided 
in  New  York  city  for  several  years.  His  profession  was 
that  of  a  lawyer. 

He  was  for  some  time  leader  of  the  choir  in  this  church. 
He  was  distinguished  for  his  tenor  voice  and  superior  ex 
cellence  in  singing.  While  residing  in  New  York,  the 
precentor  in  the  congregation,  where  he  attended  public 
worship,  was  absent  a  Sabbath,  and  there  was  some  per 
plexity  as  to  what  should  be  done.  General  Storms,  the 
father  of  Col.  Robinson's  second  wife,  arose  and  said  there 
was  a  gentleman  there  who  would  perhaps  be  willing  to 
lead  the  singing,  if  agreeable  to  the  congregation.  Gen. 
Storms'  proposal  was  readily  assented  to,  and  Col.  Robin 
son  stepped  forward  and  took  the  precentor's  place  ;  he  was 
very  tall  and  graceful,  and  of  commanding  presence,  and 
performed  the  service  of  leading  the  singing  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  astonish  and  delight  the  congregation.  In 
fugue  tunes,  if  any  part  faltered,  he  could  at  once  strike 
that  part  and  sustain  it,  were  it  alto  or  treble,  and  descend 
without  delay  to  the  bass,  and  so  sustain  the  whole. 


248  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  following  was  told  to  the  writer  by  the  Rev.  Hiram 
Bingham  :  "  Dr.  Yale,  of  Kingsborough,  my  classical  tutor, 
used  to  say  that  Mr.  Jonathan  E.  Robinson  had  the  finest 
voice  he  ever  heard.  Jonathan  E.  Robinson  was  captain 
(afterward  colonel),  Stephen  Robinson,  ensign,  —  ensign 
and  lieutenant  were  then  one  and  the  same.  We  were  very 
proud  of  our  captain.  He  was  the  most  popular  man  in 
Bennington.  He  had  a  very  commanding  form  and  person." 

The  singing  of  the  Bennington  church  choir,  long  noted 
for  its  excellence,  was  perhaps  never  more  flourishing  than 
when  Jonathan  E.  Robinson  was  its  chorister.  Then  the 
singers  reached  round  the  front  seat  of  the  galleiy,  from 
the  east  wall  on  one  side  of  the  pulpit  to  the  same  wall  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  pulpit ;  and  it  is  said  there  were  a 
score  or  more  of  persons,  any  one  of  whom  was  competent 
to  lead.  The  old  style  of  music  was  sung  with  great 
power  and  majesty. 

MARY,  born  September  8,  1781  ;  united  with  the  church, 
1803;  died  February  1,  1831;  only  daughter  of  Judge 
Robinson  ;  married  Col.  O.  C.  Merrill,  born  in  Farmington, 
Conn.,  June  18,  1775  ;  united  with  the  church,  1831  ;  died 
April  12,  1865.  A  son  of  theirs,  James  Seymour  Merrill, 
has  been  leader  of  the  choir  of  this  church  ;  also  of  the  Second 
Congregational  Church ;  also  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church. 

GEN.  HENRY  ROBINSON  was  born  August  26,  1778.  He 
was  successively  paymaster  in  the  army,  clerk  in  the  pen 
sion  office,  brigadier-general  of  the  militia,  and  for  ten 
years  clerk  of  the  County  and  Supreme  Court."  1 

He  united  with  this  church  in  1835.  He  was  next  but 
one  to  his  father,  Judge  Robinson,  as  leader  of  the  choir. 
Returning  from  Washington  to  pass  the  decline  of  life  in 

i  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


DEA.    J.    F.    ROBINSON.  249 

BenningtoD,  he  is  remembered  by  the  writer  of  this  notice 
for  his  intelligent  and  genial  conversation,  his  generous 
nature,  and  his  interest  in  the  public  worship  of  the  church 
of  his  fathers.  He  died  in  1856. 

He  married  Miss  Harriet  Haynes,  and  after  her  decease 
her  sister,  Miss  Martha  P.  Haynes.  She  united  with  this 
church  January  4,  1835,  and  deceased  December  2,  1857, 
while  residing  with  her  son,  the  Rev.  Charles  Seymour  Rob 
inson,  at  that  time  pastor  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  Unceasing  in 
her  prayers  and  toils  and  affection,  she  had  the  rare  happi 
ness,  to  a  fond  Christian  mother,  of  living  to  see  one  of 
her  sons  an  eloquent  and  successful  preacher  of  the  gospel. 
A  younger  son,  Joseph  Haswell  Robinson,  became,  subse 
quently  to  his  mother's  decease,  a  minister  of  the  gospel. 
He  died  March  4, 1868,  aged  thirty-two  ;  having  commenced 
a  professional  career  with  every  promise  of  a  bright  and 
useful  future. 

ISAAC  TICHENOR  ROBINSON,  youngest  child  of  Judge  Jona 
than  Robinson,  was  born  August  17,  1790  ;  married  Maria, 
daughter  of  Deacon  Aaron  Hubbell,  and  deceased  in  1866. 
His  sou,  John  F.,  was  a  deacon  of  this  church  until  his 
death. 

DEACON  JOHN  F.  ROBINSON  was  born  in  Bennington,  May 
6,  1812,  and  deceased  January  25,  1862,  in  the  fiftieth  year 
of  his  age.  He  was  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty  as  road- 
master  of  the  Troy  and  Boston  Railroad,  and  was  in  the 
cars  passing  up  a  little  north  of  this  town,  when  a  gust  of 
wind  was  encountered,  so  violent  as  to  throw  the  cars  from 
the  track  and  down  an  embankment  of  some  thirty  feet 
elevation.  He  was  mortally  injured ;  he  had  strength 
sufficient  to  ascend  the  bank  and  take  his  place  in  another 
car,  and  also  to  walk  from  the  sleigh,  in  which  he  was  con 
veyed  from  the  depot,  into  his  house.  The  accident  occurred 


250  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

in  the  forenoon,  and  at  about  five  o'clock,  p.  M.,  he  died. 
The  Rev.  H.  G.  0.  Dwight,  D.D.,  missionary  at  Constanti 
nople,  of  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions,  was  in  the  same  car,  sitting  near  Deacon  Robin 
son,  at  the  time  of  the  overthrow,  and  was  instantly 
killed. 

Deacon  Robinson  was  hopefully  converted  in  the  revival 
in  1831,  and  united  with  the  church  at  the  same  time  with 
Doctor  Noadiah  Swift.  Upon  the  decease  of  Deacon  Aaron 
Hubbell,  he  and  Samuel  Chandler  were  elected  deacons  of 
the  church,  September  19,  1845.  He  had  also  been  treas 
urer  of  the  society.  For  several  years  he  was  leader  of  the 
choir,  until  a  disease  of  the  throat  compelled  him  to  resign 
that  office.  Up  to  the  time  of  his  decease,  and  for  some 
years  previous,  he  played  the  double  bass  viol,  whose  mute 
presence  in  the  gallery  for  years  afterward,  lying  in  its 
case  unused,  was  a  sad  reminder  that  the  hands  which  so 
carefully  guided  its  tones  had  become  motionless  in 
death. 

Deacon  Robinson's  acceptance  of  any  duty  ivas  a  guaran 
ty  that  it  tvould  be  well  and  faithfully  performed.  He  was 
remarkable  for  a  clear  mind  and  a  firm  will,  so  that  when 
once  settled  down  upon  any  principle  as  true,  or  airy  course 
of  action  as  a  duty,  it  is  believed  no  human  power  could 
swerve  him.  In  adhesion  to  sound  Calvinistic  doctrine,  in 
reverence  for  the  Sabbath  and  sanctuar}r,  and  in  sobriety  of 
demeanor,  he  might  have  been  regarded  as  no  unapt  repre 
sentative  of  Puritan  times. 

When  he  became  road-master  on  the  Troy  and  Boston 
road,  it  was  the  custom  to  repair  the  bridges  on  the  Sab 
bath,  to  avoid  detention  of  the  cars  on  week  days.  He, 
without  any  hesitation,  determined  that  the  repairs  should 
take  place  on  some  other  da}^than  the  Sabbath,  or  he  would 
resign  his  post.  Vigorous  resistance  to  his  proposed 


DEA.    J.    F.    It  OH  IKS  ON.  251 

change  was  made,  on  the  ground  of  a  serious  detention  of 
the  cars,  to  the  great  inconvenience  of  the  travelling  public. 
His  unyielding  determination,  however,  carried  the  point, 
and  the  bridges  were  repaired  on  wreek  days,  and  the  ex 
periment  proved  it  could  be  accomplished  without  a  deten 
tion  of  the  train,  behind  its  regular  time,  of  more  than  fif 
teen  minutes. 

This  occasion  furnished  an  incident  illustrative  of  the 
moral  weight  of  his  words,  when  he  felt  called  upon  to  take 
a  decided  stand  in  such  a  case.  Having  spoken  of  the  con 
cerns  of  the  soul,  involved  in  that  question  of  taking  the 
Sabbath  or  the  week  day  to  repair  the  bridges,  to  the  fore 
man  of  the  working  party  on  the  road,  who  was  violently 
opposed  to  his  view,  the  foreman  replied,  "It  is  no  matter 
to  }'ou  whether  I  lose  my  soul  or  not."  Deacon  Robinson 
rejoined  with  utmost  sincerity  and  warmth,  "  It  is  matter  to 
me  whether  you  lose  your  soul  or  save  it."  The  foreman 
replied  no  more,  but  remembered  the  words,  and  deeply 
felt  their  force  as  he  afterward  honestly  stated,  and  con 
ceived  thenceforth  a  profound  reverence  for  Deacon  Robin 
son. 

In  the  prayer  and  conference  meeting  his  prayers  and 
remarks  were  always  short,  and  always  to  the  point  and 
impressive. 

His  natural  temperament  perhaps, added  to  much  ill-health, 
made  him  distrustful  as  to  his  evidences,  but  he  found 
comfort  and  motive  to  duty  in  the  doctrine  of  justification 
b}'  faith  alone  in  Christ.  When  in  dying,  and  from  internal 
injuries  scarcely  able  to  articulate,  he  said,  "I  must  trust 
in  Christ  and  in  him  alone."  From  a  child  he  was  remark 
ably  conscientious.  There  was  a  warmth,  tenderness,  and 
sincerity  of  friendship  that  attached  his  friends,  and  partic 
ularly  his  bosom  friends,  to  him  in  an  extraordinary 
degree.  On  his  mother's  side  he  was  great-great-grand- 


252  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

child  to  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey  ;  on  his  father's  side  he  was  great- 
great-grandson  of  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen. ;  and  also,  by  his 
grandmother  Robinson,  great-great-grandson  of  Deacon 
John  Fassett. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES. 
1762. 

TEPHEN  FAY.  —Next  to  Eobinson,  Harwood,  and 
Scott  there  is  the  largest  number  of  individuals  on 
the  roll  of  the  church  of  the  name  of  Fay.  James, 
James,  Jr.,  Daniel, and  Lydia  Fay  are  on  the  old  cove 
nant.  Probably  Lydia  was  the  wife  of  James  Fay, 
and  James,  Jr.,  and  Daniel  their  sons.  No  other 
mention  is  made  of  these  individuals  afterward  in  the  records 
of  the  church,  nor  do  they  appear  on  any  of  the  lists  furnished 
by  Gov.  Hall  in  the  "  Vermont  Historical  Magazine,"  nor 
upon  the  town  records.  Mention  is  made  of  James  and 
his  son  Daniel  in  Mr.  Paige's  Hard  wick  Centennial  Address, 
and  that  he  was  a  deacon  in  the  Separate  Church  there,  and 
died  there  of  small-pox  in  1777,  and  that  Daniel  died  in  1815, 
aged  eighty-six.  It  is  probable  they  came  at  an  early  day  to 
Bennington,  and  returned  again  to  Hard  wick,  and  remained 
there.  James  was  brother  of  Stephen  Fay.  Mehitable 
and  Elizabeth  Fay  are  also  among  the  signers  to  the  old 
covenant.  Stephen  Fay  had  a  sister  Mehitable,  and  also  a 
sister-in-law  Elizabeth  (wife  of  his  brother  John),  who 
became  members  of  this  church. 

Among  the  early  settlers,  Stephen  Fay  (son  of  John  Fay 

and  Elizabeth  Wilmington),  who  came  to  Bennington  in 

17G6,   occupied  a  prominent  position   as  landlord  of  the 

Green  Mountain  House,  afterward  Catamount  Tavern,  as 

22 


254  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

father  of  an  influential  family ;  and  as  exhibiting  a  spon 
taneous  instance  of  moral  sublimity  in  connection  with  the 
death  of  his  son  John  in  Bennington  battle,  he  has  won  for 
his  name  a  bright  place  in  the  history  of  the  town.  He  sent 
five  of  his  sons  l  to  the  bloody  rescue  of  his  country  on  that 
eventful  day.  One  of  them  was  shot  through  the  head,  and 
died  instantly.  The  following  is  the  account  in  a  Connec 
ticut  newspaper  of  Nov.,  1777,  three  months  after  the 
battle,  by  an  "Eye-witness":  —  "  A  good  old  gentleman 
who  had  five  sons  in  the  field  at  the  celebrated  action  of 
Bennington,  August  16,  1777,  whose  furrowed  cheeks  and 
silvered  locks  added  venerableness  to  his  hoary  brows, 
being  told  that  he  was  unfortunate  in  one  of  his  sons,  re 
plied,  '  What,  has  he  misbehaved?  did  he  desert  his  post? 
or  run  from  the  charge?*  'No,  sir,'  said  the  informant; 
1  worse  than  that,  he  is  among  the  slain  ;  he  fell  contending 
mightily  in  the  cause.'  '  Then  I  am  satisfied,'  replied  the 
venerable  sire  ;  "  bring  him  in  and  lay  him  before  me,  that  at 
leisure  I  may  behold  and  survey  the  darling  of  my  soul ;' 
upon  which  the  corpse  was  brought  and  laid  before  him,  all 
besmeared  with  dirt  and  gore.  He  then  called  for  a  bowl  of 
water  and  a  napkin,  and  with  his  own  hands  washed  the 
gore  from  his  son's  corpse,  and  wiped  his  gaping  wounds 
with  a  complacency,  as  he  himself  expressed  it,  which  before 
he  had  never  felt  or  experienced."  Another  account  pre 
served  by  tradition  gives  the  following  additional  expres 
sion  :  "  I  thank  God  I  had  a  son  who  was  willing  to  give 
his  life  for  his  country."  He  had  ten  children  :  John,  Jonas, 
Stephen,  Mary,  Sarah,  Elijah,  Beulah,  Benjamin,  Joseph, 
David. 

JOHN  FAY  was  forty- three  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  left  a  widow  and  children,  and  many  of  his  de 
scendants  are  now  living  in  the  northern  part  of  this  State. 

1  John,  Elijah,Benjamin,  Joseph,  and  David. 


DR.    JONAS   FAY.  255 

Of  the  circumstances  of  his  death  the  following  have  been 
related  : 1  — 

He  was  fighting  behind  a  tree.  His  last  words,  as  he 
raised  his  musket  to  fire  once  more  at  the  enemy,  were,  u  I 
feel  that  I  am  fighting  in  a  good  cause."  And  as  his  eye 
ran  along  the  barrel,  taking  aim,  his  head  just  exposed 
from  behind  the  tree,  a  ball  struck  him  in  the  very  centre  of 
his  forehead,  and  he  fell  with  his  gun  undischarged.  Quick 
as  lightning  ran  the  cry  over  the  ranks  of  his  townsmen, 
"  John  Fay  is  shot !  "  Maddened  to  fury  they  sprang  from 
behind  the  trees,  fired  their  guns  in  the  very  faces  of  the 
foe,  and,  clubbing  the  breeches,  leaped  over  the  breastwork 
with  an  impulse  of  onset  nothing  mortal  could  resist. 

Nathan,  a  son  of  this  John  Fay,  united  with  this  church 
in  the  Wood  and  Burton  revival. 

DR.  JONAS  FAY  was  the  second  child  of  Stephen  Fay. 
He  was  born  at  Hardwick,  Mass.,  Jan  13,  1737.  He  was 
a  man  of  great  versatility,  boldness,  and  determination, 
and  of  acknowledged  ability  and  skill  as  draughtsman  and 
composer  of  public  documents. 

His  public  career  commenced  at  an  early  age,  while  the 
family  still  resided  in  Hardwick.  In  1756, being  then  nineteen 
years  of  age,  he  was  clerk  to  the  military  company  of  Capt. 
Samuel  Robinson,  Sen.,  in  the  campaign  of  the  French  war 
at  Fort  Edward  and  Lake  George. 

He  was  twenty-nine  years  of  age  when  he  came  to  Benning- 
ton,  and  at  once  took  a  prominent  position  among  the  leading 
actors  who  came  upon  the  stage  in  that  eventful  period  of 
the  history  of  the  town  and  State  and  nation  ;  and  it  is  diffi 
cult  to  tell  in- which  of  these  relations,  if  not  in  all  equally, 
his  services  were  the  most  important. 

1  The  Rev.  C.  S.  Robinson's  Address. 


256  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

"In  1772  when  Governor  Tryon  invited  the  people  of 
Bennington  to  send  agents  to  New  York  to  inform  him  of 
the  grounds  of  their  complaint,  he,  with  his  father,  was 
appointed  for  that  purpose.  He  was  clerk  to  the  conven 
tion  of  settlers  that  met  in  1774,  and  resolved  to  defend  by 
force,  Allen,  Warren,  and  others,  who  were  threatened  with 
outlawry  and  death  by  the  New  York  Assembly,  and  as 
such  clerk  certified  their  proceedings  for  publication.  He 
served  as  surgeon  in  the  expedition  under  Allen  at  the  cap 
ture  of  Ticonderoga.  He  was  continued  in  that  position  by 
the  Massachusetts  committee  who  were  sent  to  the  lake  in 
July,  1775,  and  also  appointed  by  them  to  muster  the 
troops  as  they  arrived  for  the  defence  of  that  post.  He  was 
also  surgeon  for  a  time  to  Col.  Warner's  regiment. 

In  Jan.,  1776,  he  was  clerk  to  the  convention  at  Dorset 
that  petitioned  Congress  to  be  allowed  to  serve  in  the  com 
mon  cause  of  the  country  as  inhabitants  of  the  New  Hamp 
shire  Grants,  and  not  under  New  York,  and  also  of  that 
held  at  the  same  place  in  July  following.  He  was  a  mem 
ber  of  the  convention  which  met  at  Westminster  in  Jan., 
1777,  and  declared  Vermont  to  be  an  independent  State, 
and  was  appointed  chairman  of  a  committee  to  draw  up  a 
declaration  and  petition  announcing  the  fact  and  their  rea 
sons  for  it,  to  Congress,  of  which  declaration  and  petition 
he  was  the  draughtsman  and  author.  He  was  secretary  to 
the  convention  that  formed  the  constitution  of  the  State,  in 
July,  1777,  and  was  one  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  then  ap 
pointed  to  administer  the  affairs  of  the  State  until  the 
Assembly  provided  for  by  the  constitution  should  meet ; 
was  a  member  of  the  State  Council  for  seven  years  from 
1778  ;  a  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  1782  ;  judge  of  pro 
bate  from  1782  to  1787;  and  he  attended  the  Continental 
Congress  at  Philadelphia  as  the  agent  of  the  State  under 
appointments  made  in  Jan.,  1777,  Oct.,  1779,  June,  1781, 


FAMILY    OF  DR.    JONAS   FAY.  257 

and    Feb.,    1782 In  1780,  he,  in  conjunction  with 

Ethan  Allen,  prepared  and  published  in  their  joint  names 
a  pamphlet  of  thirty  pages,  on  the  New  Hampshire  and  New 
York  Controversy,  which  was  printed  at  Hartford,  Conn."  1 

His  daughter  Lydia  married  Uriah  Edgerton,  Esq.  She 
became  hopefully  pious  after  she  began  to  be  crippled  by 
rheumatism.  She  used  to  sa}r  that  it  was  her  becoming 
so  great  a  sufferer  that  with  God's  blessing  led  to  her  con 
version.  Before,  she  was  very  worldly  and  ambitious  ;  af 
terward,  the  cause  and  love  of  Christ  was  ever  the  theme 
upon  her  lips  and  warm  in  her  heart.  She  united  with  this 
church  during  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh. 

FAY  EDGERTOX,  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Uriah  Edgerton, 
was  graduated  at  the  Rensselaer  Institute,  in  Troy,  N.  Y., 
assisted  in  the  establishment  of  a  scientific  school  in  Utica, 
N.  Y.,  and  while  engaged  as  lecturer  on  chemistry  and 
botany  in  the  medical  school  in  Woodstock  was  taken  sick 
and  died.  He  was  a  bright  and  devoted  Christian.  He  was 
born  in  1803,  and  deceased  in  April,  1838. 

Dr.  Jonas  Fay's  daughter,  Sarah,  married  Henry  Hopkins, 
only  son  of  Major  Wait  Hopkins,  and  grandson  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Dewey.  These  had  a  son,  Deacon  Fay  Hopkins,  of 
Oberlin.  Ohio. 

MAJOR  HEMAN  A.  FAT,  a  twin  son  of  Dr.  Jonas  Fay,  grad 
uated  as  cadet  at  West  Point  in  1808.  He  was  appointed 
a  lieutenant  in  the  army,  in  which  he  served  through  the 
war  in  1812,  and  soon  after  became  military  store-keeper 
at  Albany.2  He  united  with  a  Presbyterian  church  in  Al 
bany,  and  became  one  of  its  elders.  He  afterward  returned 
to  Bennington  to  pass  the  remainder  of  his  life,  and  became 
a  member  of  this  church. 

i  See  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  pp.  171,  172,  and  Early  Hist.  Vermont,  pp.  463,  464, 
and  elsewhere.  2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  172. 

22* 


258  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Mary,  daughter  of  Stephen  Fay,  and  first  wife  of  Gov. 
Moses  Robinson,  and  mother  of  his  children,  united  with 
this  church  May  16,  1765.  Two  of  her  descendants  in  this 
town  became  ministers  of  the  gospel. 

BENJAMIN  FAY,  son  of  Stephen  Fay,  was  the  first  sheriff 
in  the  county  and  State.  He  was  born  Nov.  22,  1750.  He 
was  sheriff  from  March  26,  1778,  until  Oct.,  1781,  and  died 
in  1786.1 

He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  Samuel  Robinson,  Sen. 
She  united  with  the  church  at  thirteen  and  a  half  years  of 
age.  After  the  death  of  her  first  husband  she  married  Gen. 
Heman  Swift,  of  Cornwall,  Conn. 

SAMUEL  FAY,  ESQ.,  a  son  of  Sheriff  Benjamin  Fay,  lived 
and  died  in  the  family  mansion,  which  was  formerly  "  the 
Green  Mountain  House,"  "the  Catamount  Tavern"  and 
"  Landlord  Fay's,"  —  the  house  in  which  the  Council  of 
Safety  met ;  afterward,  altered  and  added  to.  An  obituary 
notice  from  the  pen  of  Gov.  Hall  appeared  in  the  "  Benning- 
ton  Banner  "  and  was  copied  into  the  "  Vermont  Record," 
valuable  for  its  historical  reminiscences  as  well  as  a  just 
tribute  to  Mr.  Fay.  Considerable  portions  of  it  shall  be 
inserted  here. 

"  Samuel   Fay, 

Esq.,  was  born  in  Bennington,  Aug.  16,  1772,  and  died 
the  25th  of  Dec.  1863,  in  the  ninety-second  year  of  his  age. 
The  day  he  became  five  years  old,  —  the  16th  of  August, 
1777,  —  was  fought  the  battle  of  Bennington,  of  which  he 
retained  through  life  a  clear  recollection,  remembering  well 
the  noise  of  the  guns,  and  the  extraordinary  confusion  of 
the  day.  The  scene  at  the  execution  of  Redding  was  also 
fresh  in  his  mind.  He  was  appointed  a  deputy-sheriff  under 
Gen.  David  Robinson.  This  was  in  1793,  when  Thomas 

1  Vermont  Hist  Mag.,  p.  171. 


MR.    S.    FAY  AS   HIGH   SHERIFF.  259 

Chittenden  was  governor,  Elijah  Paine,  Samuel  Knight, 
and  Isaac  Tichenor,  judges  of  the  Supreme  Court.  He  held 
the  office  of  deputy,  with  the  exception  of  two  years,  until 
1811,  when  he  was  chosen  high-sheriff,  and  was  annually 
re-elected  for  twelve  succeeding  years,  until  the  year  1823  ; 
making  twenty-eight  years'  service  in  the  sheriff  depart 
ment  of  the  county.  During  this  period  the  position  of 
sheriff  was  made  more  important,  and  its  duties  greatly 
more  arduous  and  responsible  than  at  the  present  day. 

u  The  laws  allowing  imprisonment  for  debt  were  then  in 
full  force,  and  suits  were  some  twenty  or  thirty  times  as 
numerous  as  they  now  are.  Aside  from  the  hazards  that 
an  officer  incurred  in  the  service  of  original  writs,' which 
were  many,  those  in  the  collection  of  executions  were  very 
great.  It  was  not  uncommon  for  an  officer  to  have  fifty  or 
more  executions  in  his  hands  for  collection  at  the  same 
time,  ranging  in  amount  from  three  dollars  up  to  several 
hundred  dollars.  If  a  debtor  did  not  satisfy  an  execution, 
within  its  life  of  sixty  days,  it  was  the  duty  of  the  officer 
to  commit  him  to  jail,  where  he  must  remain  until  pay 
ment  was  made,  unless  he  took  the  poor  debtor's  oath, 
which  could  only  be  done  after  a  probationary  imprison 
ment  for  twenty  da}rs,  subsequently  reduced  to  six  days. 
If  the  officer  saw  the  debtor  for  a  moment  and  then  suf 
fered  him  to  go  at  large,  he  became  liable  for  the  debt, 
unless  he  should  afterward,  within  the  life  of  the  execu 
tion,  arrest  and  commit  him  to  prison.  The  performance 
of  the  sheriff's  duty  to  the  acceptance  of  both  creditor  and 
debtor,  without  incurring  loss  to  himself,  required  a  talent 
and  skill  which  few  men  possessed.  Mr.  Fay  was  remark 
ably  successful  in  the  discharge  of  the  varied  duties  of  his 
position.  While  many  of  the  sheriffs,  in  most  of  the  other 
counties  in  the  State,  either  became  insolvent  from  the 
want  of  proper  diligence  and  care,  or  rendered  themselves 


260  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

unpopular,  and  even  odious,  by  their  extraordinary  harsh 
ness  and  severity,  Mr.  Fay,  by  his  promptness  and  energy 
in  the  right  place,  and  his  uniform  kindness  and  care  for 
the  interest  and  convenience  of  those  against  whom  he 
held  process,  was  enabled,  through  the  long  period  of  his 
service,  to  preserve  the 'Confidence  and  affectionate  regard 
of  all  parties.  Among  the  many  hundreds  of  debtors 
whose  bare  word  he  took  to  meet  him  at  an  appointed  time 
to  relieve  him  from  his  official  responsibility,  such  was  the 
good  feeling  and  gratitude  which  his  unvarying  civility  and 
kindness  inspired,  that  instances  of  failure  rarely  occurred, 
and  never  to  his  services  pecuniary  loss.  Few  if  any  men 
in  the*  State  have  ever  performed  the  duties  of  so  difficult 
and  responsible  a  station,  for  so  long  a  period  of  time,  with 
such  uniform  success,  and  with  such  entire  approbation  of 
the  public. 

"  His  mental  faculties  seemed  to  continue  to  the  last,  in 
almost  their  original  brightness.  The  unpretending  dig 
nity  and  courtesy  with  which  he  received  the  calls  of  vis 
itors,  and  the  cordial  greeting  which  he  gave  them,  always 
made  a  pleasant  and  agreeable  impression,  and  would 
mark  him,  in  the  estimation  of  mere  casual  observers,  as  a 
favorable  specimen  of  the  old-school  gentleman.  Those 
who  knew  him  well  were  fully  assured  that  these  pleasing 
outward  qualities  had  their  foundation  and  source  in  the 
natural  goodness  of  his  heart,  and  his  integrity  of  pur 
pose.  Of  him  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  in  all  the  affairs 
of  life  which  his  duty  required  him  to  perform,  he  acted 
his  part  worthily  and  well,  and  that  his  name  is  now,  after 
the  lapse  of  more  than  ninety-one  years,  enrolled  upon  the 
list  of  the  dead,  undefaced  by  any  blot. 

"  Mr.  Fay,  in  early  life,  married  Ruth,  daughter  of  Col. 
Ber.jamin  Fassett.  Their  children  were  Samuel  R.,  Benja 
min  Fassett,  and  John." 


SONS   OF  SAMUEL  FAY.  261 

BENJAMIN  F.  FAY  died  Feb.  15,  1853,  born  Oct.  21, 
1805.  His  death  was  the  first  in  Mr.  Fay's  family,  and 
gave  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fay  a  shock  from  which  they  never 
recovered.  He  was  possessed  of  much  business  talent, 
and  had  been  engaged  in  wide  and  extensive  business 
operations. 

SAMUEL  R.  FAY,  born  Nov.  5,  1802,  died  Oct.  13,  1860, 
united  with  the  church  March  4,  1827,  and  was  a  marked 
example  of  purity  and  conscientiousness  of  Christian  char 
acter. 

JOHN  FAY  born  Feb.  1,  1815,  died  Feb.  25,  1866,  was, 
at  the  time  of  his  death,  and  had  been,  for  many  years, 
leader  of  the  choir.  He  possessed  a  musical  ear,  so  per 
fect  as  probably  not  to  be  surpassed  ;  a  tenor  voice  singu 
lar  for  its  musical  purity  and  force,  and  the  degree  to 
which  he  could  make  it  effective  at  his  pleasure ;  and 
superior  common  sense  and  leadership  as  a  conductor  of 
church  singing.  Besides  there  was  peculiar  to  him  un 
affected  simplicity  and  strength  of  social  feeling,  and  a 
profound  all-controlling  attachment  to  the  church  and 
parish  of  his  fathers.  His  warm  and  genial  companionship 
was  not  confined  to  a  few.  He  had  a  kind  word  and  cor 
dial  greeting  for  all,  whether  of  high  or  low  degree.  This 
was  in  part  the  secret  of  the  large  congregation  —  throng 
ing  the  sanctuary  —  that  gathered  at  his  funeral. 

His  singing  was  never  better  than  in  the  last  year  of  his 
life  ;  his  voice  was  never  more  tender,  forceful,  or  impres 
sive.  Not  only  as  leader  of  the  singing,  but  also  by  per 
sonal  efforts  socially,  he  appeared  to  have  received  new 
measure  of  zeal  for  the  unity  and  prosperity  of  the  church 
and  congregation. 

His  beloved  choir  were  with  him  in  his  last  moments, 
and  received  from  him  an  affecting  farewell.  He  united 
with  this  church  July  4,  1858.  He  was  married  on  his 


262  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

death-bed  to  Miss  Alice  Robinson,  daughter  of  Col.  O.  C. 
Merrill. 

BENJAMIN  FAY,  son  of  Sheriff  Benjamin  Fay,  united  with 
this  church  in  the  revival  in  1803,  and  removed  to  Chicago, 
where  he  died  in  the  eighty-ninth  year  of  his  age.  He 
married  Amelia,  daughter  of  Gen.  Safford.  The  following 
is  part  of  an  obituary  notice  of  him  from  the  "  Benning- 
ton  Banner  "  :  — 

"  He  warmly  sympathized  with  those  who  are  for  main 
taining  and  perpetuating  the  National  Union,  which  his 
family's  blood  had  been  shed  to  establish. 

"On  receiving  the  intelligence  of  the  recent  decease  of 
his  only  brother,  —  two  years  his  senior,  —  at  Benningtoii 
Centre,  so  great  was  the  shock  which  he  received  there 
from  that  he  could  not  rally  under  it.  He  lived  an  honest, 
truthful,  and  Christian  life ;  and,  from  the  commencement 
of  his  last  illness,  had  no  desire  to  live,  save  to  comfort 
and  administer  to  the  wants  of  his  aged  companion.  His 
heart,  during  his  sickness,  seemed  to  overflow  with  grati 
tude  to  God  for  his  goodness  and  mercy  for  sparing  him 
so  many  years ;  and  the  last  audible  expressions  which 
passed  his  lips  were  those  of  prayer  and  adoration  to  him." 

"  COLONEL  JOSEPH  FAY,  son  of  Stephen  Fay,  was  born 
at  Hardwick,  about  1752,  and  came  to  Bennington,  a  mem 
ber  of  his  father's  famity,  in  1776.  He  was  secretary  to 
the  Council  of  Safety,  and  of  the  State  Council,  from  Sep 
tember,  1777,  to  1784,  and  Secretary  of  State  from  1778 
to  1781.  He  was  the  associate  of  Ira  Allen  in  conducting 
the  famous  negotiation  with  Gen.  Haldimand,  by  which 
the  operations  of  the  enenry  were  paralyzed,  and  the^north- 
ern  frontier  protected  from  invasion  during  the  three  last 
years  of  the  Revolutionary  struggle.  He  was  a  man  of 
very  respectable  talents  and  acquirements,  of  fine  personal 


NATHAN  CLARK.  263 

appearance  and  agreeable  manners,  and  well  calculated  to 
manage  such  a  diplomatic  adventure  with  adroitness  and 
ability.  He  built  and  resided  in  the  house1  afterward 
the  residence  of  the  late  Truman  Squier,  next  north  of  the 
court-house,  but  removed  to  New  York  city  in  1794,  where 
he  died,  of  the  yellow  fever,  in  October,  1803."  2  He  mar 
ried  Margaret,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey. 

HON.  THEODORE  S.  FAY  is  their  grandson.  He  was  re 
cently  minister  of  the  United  States  to  Switzerland,  author 
of  one  or  more  religious  publications,  and  a  popular  writer. 

JUDGE  DAYID  FAT,  youngest  son  of  Stephen  Fay,  mar 
ried  Mary  Stanniford  (daughter  of  John  Stanniford,  Wind- 
ham,  Conn.),  a  member  of  this  church.  The  following 
characteristic  anecdotes  are  related  of  Judge  Fay  : 
"  He  used  to  say  to  Gov.  Moses  Robinson,  '  Brother  Rob 
inson,  don't  let  the  church  go  down  ;  you  take  care  of  the 
church,  and  I'll  take  care  of  the  world.'  To  William  Has- 
well,  addressing  him  familiarly,  '  Let  the  church  be  at 
peace,  and  there'll  be  no  war  with  the  rest ;  the  church  has 
a  great  sway  in  this  world,  though  there  are  a  good  many 
little  men  in  it.' " 

II.  NATHAN  CLARK  "  was  a  resident  of  Bennington  as 
early  as  September,  1762.  .  .  .  He  was  a  leading  man 
in  the  controversy  of  the  settlers  with  the  New  York  land 
claimants,  and  his  name  appears  in  nearly  all  of  their  public 
proceedings  prior  to  the  Revolution,  generally  as  chairman 
of  their  committees  and  conventions.  He  is  said,  by  tra 
dition,  to  have  been  '  a  pen  and  ink  man,'  and  to  have 
been  the  draughtsman  of  many  of  the  published  papers 
of  the  early  time.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Committee  of 

1  Since  destroyed  by  fire.  2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  172. 


264  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Safety,  of  Bennington,  in  1776,  and,  as  such,  held  corre 
spondence  with  Gen.  Gates,  then  commander  at  Ticonderoga, 
rendering  him  substantial  and  efficient  aid  in  collecting 
and  forwarding  supplies  for  the  army.  He  was  representa 
tive  from  the  town  in  the  first  legislature  held  in  the  State, 
which  met  at  Windsor,  in  March,  1778,  and  was  speaker 
of  the  Assembly.  He  is  said  to  have  been  of  decided  en 
ergy  of  character  and  of  very  respectable  talent.  One  of 
his  sons,  Nathan  Clark,  Jr.,  died  of  a  wound  received  in 
Bennington  battle.  He  had  other  sons  in  the  battle,  one 
of  whom,  Isaac  Clark,  was  afterward  known  as  'Old 
Rifle,'  and  served  as  colonel  in  the  war  of  1812.  Nathan 
Clark  died  at  Bennington  April  8,  1792,  aged  seventy-four, 
leaving  many  descendants.1  Mrs.  Salem  White  is  a  descend 
ant  and  member  of  this  church." 

III.  PHINEAS  SCOTT  first  came  here,  at  the  age  of  seven 
teen,  with  his  father.  They  returned  to  Connecticut, 
whence  they  came.  The  old  man  died  there,  and  Phineas 
soon  returned.  He  died  here  June  6,1819,  aged  seventy-four. 
A  name,  Phinehas  Scott,  is  upon  the  roll  of  Capt.  Fassett's 
military  company  in  1764.  Phineas  Scott  had  five  sons, 
Samuel  (married  Lucretia  Harmon),  Henry,  Hiram,  John, 
Kinsley,  and  Martin  ;  also,  daughters,  Clara  (Mrs.  Squiers), 
Betsey  (Mrs.  Bingham),  Mary  (Mrs.  Hawks),  and  Rhoda. 

COLONEL  MARTIN,  son  of  Phineas,  was  born  in  Benning 
ton  January  18,  1788.  He  was  a  noted  marksman,  and 
many  anecdotes  are  related  of  his  extraordinary  skill.  It 
was  not  a  difficult  thing  for  him  to  kill  one  bird  with  one 
barrel  of  his  gun,  and  another  with  the  other,  when  a  flock 
were  on  the  wing.  "  He  would  drive  a  nail  into  a  board 
part  way  with  a  hammer,  and  then,  taking  the  farthest  dis- 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  173. 


COL.    MARTIN  SCOTT.  265 

tance  at  which  his  eye  could  distinctly  see  it,  drive  it  home 
with  his  unerring  bullet."  "  April,  1814,  he  was  appointed 
second  lieutenant  in  the  army,  and  rose  to  the  rank  of  lieu 
tenant-colonel,  always  sustaining  the  character  of  a  brave 
and  active  officer."  "He  lost  his  life  in  Mexico,  at  the 
sanguinary  battle  of  Molino  del  Rey,  and  his  remains  were 
brought  to  Bennington  and  interred  in  the  old  Centre 
burying-ground,  beside  those  of  his  own  family  relatives." 
His  death  took  place  September  8, 1847.  Of  the  inscription 
on  the  massive  monument  to  his  memory,  the  following  is  a 
part :  "  Brevet  Col.  Scott,  of  the"  5th  regiment  of  infantry, 
was  thirty-three  years  in  the  service  of  his  country  on  the 
western  frontier  ;  in  Florida  ;  in  Mexico,  at  the  battles  of 
Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  Monterey,  Vera  Cruz, 
Cher ubu sco,  and  was  killed  at  Molino  del  Rey.  He  com 
manded  his  regiment  in  nearly  all  these  engagements,  and 
received  two  brevets  for  gallant  conduct.  No  braver  or 
better  officer  fell  in  the  Mexican  war." l 

l  See  notice  of  Col.  Scott  In  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  pp.  177, 178. 
23 


CHAPTER     XVIII. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES. 
1763-1765. 

|APT.  ELIJAH  DEWEY  was  the  son  of  the  Rev.  Jecli- 
diah  Dewey,  and  was  born  in  Westfield,  Mass., 
November  28,  1774,  and  came  to  Bennington  with 
his  father  in  the  fall  of  1763. 

His  name  is  found  among  the  privates  in  the 
first  military  company  formed  in  town,  in  October, 
1764,  he  being  then  under  twenty  years  of  age.  He  was 
captain  of  one  of  the  Bennington  companies  early  in  the 
war  of  the  Revolution ;  was  at  Ticonderoga  with  his  com 
pany  in  the  fall  of  1776,1  and  again  at  the  evacuation  of 
that  fort  by  St.  Clair  in  July,  1777.  He  was  at  the  head 
of  his  company  in  the  battle  of  Bennington,  August  16, 
1777 ;  also  in  service  at  Saratoga  on  the  surrender  of  Bur- 
goyne  in  October  following."  2 

Captain  Dewey  also  served  the  public  in  various  stations 

1  "  Pay  roll  of  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey's  company,  in  Col.  Moses  Robinson's  regi 
ment  of  the  militia  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  of  America,  Mount  Inde 
pendence,  1776 :  — 

"  Elijah  Dewey,  captain;  Ebenezer  Walbridge,  1st  lieut.;  Thomas  Jewett,  2d 
lieut. ;  Nathaniel  Fillmore,  ensign ;  Joseph  Rudd,  Daniel  Harmon,  John  Fay, 
sergeants;  John  Smith,  Jedidiah  Merrill,  Thomas  Story,  corporals.  Privates,— 
Samuel  Cutler,  Ezekiel  Harmon,  Joseph  Wickwire,  Daniel  Kinsley,  Jonathan 
Parsons,  Andrew  Weaver,  Abner  Marble,  Phineas  Scott,  Aaron  Haynes,  Silas 
Harmon,  Joseph  Robinson,  Ezekiel  Smith,  Seth  Porter,  David  Powers,  Hopestill 
Armstrong,  Joseph  Willoughby,  Samuel  Hunt,  Joshua  Carpenter,  Othniel  Green, 
Philip  Matteson,  Roswel  Mosely.-''  —  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  153. 

2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  176. 


CAPT.    ELIJAH  DEWEY.  267 

in  civil  life.  At  the  convention  of  delegates  of  the  inhab 
itants  of  the  New  Hampshire  Grants  west  of  the  Green 
Mountains,  at  Cephas  Kent's,  in  Dorset,  January  16,  1776, 
it  was  voted  that  Simeon  Hathaway,  Elijah  Dewey,  and 
James  Breakenridge,  be  a  committee  with  power  "  to  warn 
a  general  meeting  of  the  committees  on  the  Grants,  when 
the}'  shall  judge  necessary  from  southern  intelligence."  l 

He  represented  the  town  in  General  Assembly,  in  1786- 
87-88,  in  1796,  and  again  in  1812-13  ;  and  was  a  member 
of  the  Council  of  Censors  in  1792. 

He  was  a  Federalist  in  politics,  and  headed  the  list  of 
presidential  electors  of  this  State  in  1797,  and  also  in  1801, 
voting  on  the  first,  occasion  for  "Washington,  and  on  the 
second  for  John  Adams. 

Captain  Dewey  was  a  man  of  sound  and  discriminating 
judgment,  and  of  undoubted  integrity,  who  did  well  and 
faithfully  whatever  he  undertook.2 

He  did  not  unite  with  the  church  until  his  last  sickness. 
He  deceased  Oct.  16,  1818.  He  received  the  sacrament  at 
his  residence,  and  united  with  the  church  May  17,  1818. 
His  active,  earnest,  and  life-long  devotion  to  the  external 
religious  prosperity  of  the  community,  entitles  him  to  a 
prominent  place  among  the  supporters  here  of  the  means  of 
grace.  It  was  a  common  remark  of  his  that  no  one  lost 
anything  by  going  to  church.  He  was  very  wealthy,  nearly 
as  much  so  as  Governor  Moses  Robinson ;  and  no  one  in 
the  place,  probably,  except  the  last-named  gentlemen,  con 
tributed  more  largely  to  the  support  of  public  worship. 

There  was.great  wealth  in  the  place.  Some  one  has  stated 
Gov.  Robinson's  investments  were  estimated  at  over  890,000  ; 
Capt.  Elijah  Dewey's  at  $50,000  or  $75,000.  Capt.  Dewey 
kept  a  public  house  during  the  first  session  of  the  Legisla 
ture,  and  as  compensation  for  his  services  or  attentions  in 

1  Early  Hist.  Tt.,  p.  226.  2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  176. 


268  MEMORIALS   OF  A    CENTURY. 

some  way,  they  voted  him  the  "Gore," — a  gore  of  land, 
not  set  off  to  any  towns,  in  the  north  part  of  the  State,  which 
ultimately,  and  before  it  left  his  hands,  became  quite  valua 
ble.  The  ministers  and  councils  used  to  receive  accommo 
dations  and  large  hospitalities  at  Capt.  Dewey's.  He  liked 
to  see  all  things  going  on  in  good  order,  and  church  matters 
among  the  rest.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Spaulding  and  his  daugh 
ter  were  his  guests,  while  Mr.  Spaulding  preached  here  for 
a  year  and  more. 

His  first  wife  was  Eunice  Brush ,  married  March,  1766. 
She  died  March  7,  1788.  His  second  wife  was  Mrs.  Mary 
McEowen,  and  he  was  her  third  husband. 

Three  daughters,  Sarah,  Ruth,  and  Betty,  married  respect 
ively  Dea.  Aaron  Hubbell,  Capt.  Moses  Robinson,  Jr.,  and 
Col.  Benjamin  Fassett.  As  will  be  seen  by  reference  to  the 
notices  of  these  gentlemen,  four  or  five  of  Capt.  Dewey's 
descendants  became  preachers  of  the  gospel,  —  one  a  deacon 
in  this  church,  one  the  wife  of  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  and 
another  the  wife  of  a  missionary,  and  as  such  is  now  in 
India,  and  many  of  his  descendants  members  of  this  church. 

An  anecdote  l  of  the  Bennington  battle  connected  with 
Capt.  Dewey,  and  not  known  to  the  writer  to  be  in  print, 
is  as  follows:  Benjamin  Fay,  afterward  first  sheriff  of  the 
county  and  State,  resided  at  that  time  in  the  house  now  the 
residence  of  Norman  Crosier,  and  had  in  his  possession  a 
punch-bowl,  an  article  of  British  manufacture,  on  the  bot 
tom  of  which  was  the  inscription,  "  SUCCESS  TO  BRITISH 
ARMS."  Some  of  the  men  (who  had  just  been  fighting  for 
victory  over  British  arms,  and  those  hired  by  Great  Britain 
to  keep  America  in  subjection),  and  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey 
with  them,  passed  that  way,  on  their  return  from  the  battle, 
and  .stopped  at  Mr.  Fay's  well  to  drink.  This  punch-bowl 
was  brought  out  for  them  to  drink  from.  As  the  bowl,  in 

l  Related  by  John  Fay. 


MRS.    CAPT.    ELIJAH   DEWEY.  269 

the  hands  of  some  one  drinking,  was  turned  bottom  upward, 
one  of  the  men  espied  the  inscription,  and  shouted,  "  These 
are  tories  ;  break  the  boicl;  don't  let  us  drink  out  of  it" 
Capt.  Dewe}T  interposed  and  said,  "  Tut,  tut ;  no,  no ! 
They  are  all  friends  here."  The  bowl  is  now  in  the  pos 
session  of  John  Benjamin  Calhoun,  the  son  of  Mrs.  Sarah 
Calhoun,  who  was  sister  of  Benjamin  Fay. 

ELIJAH  DEWEY  HUBBELL,  a  grandson,  first  son  of 
Deacon  Aaron  Hubbell,  inherited  a  valuable  farm  from 
Captain  Dewe}T.  The  family  also  have  in  their  possession  a 
full-length  portrait  of  Captain  Dewey,  said  to  be  an  excel 
lent  likeness. 

The  following  Bennington  battle  anecdote  is  related  of 
MRS.  CAPTAIN  ELIJAH  DEWEY.  They  kept  the  tavern,  now 
the  Walloomsac ;  and  she  at  the  time  of  the  battle  had 
large  kettles  of  meat  boiling  for  dinner  for  the  men  when 
they  should  return  from  the  battle.  Captain  Isaac  Tiche- 
nor,  then  a  young  man,  arrived  in  town  late  on  that  day  on 
his  business  (commissary  of  the  United  States),  by  the 
way  of  Lebanon  Springs  and  Williamstown,  and  stopped 
at  the  tavern.  He  ordered  dinner,  and  was  told  by  Mrs. 
Dewey  he  could  not  have  any.  He  referred  to  the  contents 
of  the  kettles  boiling  on  the  fire.  The  spirited  reply  of 
Mrs.  Dewey  was,  "  That  is  for  the  men  who  have  gone  to 
fght  for  their  country,  where  you  ought  to  be"  He  quickly 
explained  his  business.  He  had  been  busy  obtaining  sup 
plies  for  the  army,  and  had  rode  hard  on  horseback  all  that 
day  to  get  to  Bennington,  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty. 
Upon  learning  the  facts  in  the  case,  Mrs.  Dewey  relented, 
and  gave  the  tired  commissary  some  dinner. 

MRS.    CAPTAIN  DEWEY   was  a  remarkably  good  house 
keeper  ;   an  anecdote  illustrative  of  this,  told  of  her,  is  as 
follows  :  A  young  gentleman,  with  white  pants,  was  moving 
around  amongst  the  utensils  of  her  kitchen  very   circum- 
23* 


270  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

spectly,  for  fear  of  soiling  his  pants.  She  spoke  up  and 
said,  "  You  need  not  be  afraid  of  my  pots  and  kettles. 
They  are  kept  clean  outside  as  well  as  within." 

II.  DEACON  HEZEKIAH  ARMSTRONG  and  his  wife  Miriam 
united  with  this  ^church  in  the  revival  in  1803.  He  was 
elected  deacon  of  the  church  Sept.  6,  1812,  and  continued 
in  the  office  until  his  death,  March  4,  1816,  aged  seventy- 
one  years.  He  is  the  first  of  that  name  on  the  roll  of  the 
church.  He  resided  in  Pleasant  Valley,  and  has  numerous 
descendants.  The  mother  of  W.  E.  Hawks,  of  North  Ben- 
nington,  was  daughter  of  Deacon  Hezekiah. 

ZEPHANIAH  ARMSTRONG,  his  son,  united  with  the  church  in 
March,  180.3.  Mrs.  Catherine,  wife  of  Zephaniah,  united 
with  the  church  March  7,  1824,  died  May  12,  1862,  at  the 
age  of  eighty-seven.  Of  a  strong  constitution,  high  fore 
head,  and  fair  countenance,  and  possessing  great  determina 
tion  ;  left  a  widow  at  an  early  age,  she  reared  up  a  large 
family,  conducting  her  business  with  singular  energy.  She 
became  hopefully  pious  under  Mr.  Peters'  ministry  here. 
The  occasion  was  the  sickness,  and  hopeful  conversion  in 
his  sickness,  of  her  youngest  son,  Hiram,  and  his  death. 
He  had  great  distress  of  mind  until  obtaining  peace  in 
Christ.  He  insisted  on  seeing  Mr.  Peters. 

MRS.  RUTH  DICKERSON  united  with  the  church  March  4, 
1827,  died  Jan.  18,  1868,  aged  eighty-two ;  faithful  in  her 
attachment  to  the  church,  and  in  her  consistent  testimony 
for  Christ ;  was  daughter  of  Hopestill  Armstrong,  and  Lyd- 
ia  Haynes,  his  wife.  Their  children  were  Azariah  ;  Sarah, 
married  Elijah  Fillmore  ;  David  ;  Oliver  ;  Ruth  ;  Omindia, 
married  Mr.  Gerry.  Ethan  Armstrong,  son  of  David, 
united  with  this  church  Sept.  4,  1841. 

The  names  of  JOHN  and  LEBBEUS  ARMSTRONG  are  on  the 


THOMAS   HENDERSON.  271 

roll  of  the  military  company  of  1764.  The  name  Heze- 
kitik  Armstrong  is  on  the  list  of  persons  settled  here  prior 
to  June  1,  1765.1 

John  and  Hezekiah  were  brothers,  and  cousins  to  Hope- 
still  and  Lebbeus,  who  were  also  brothers.  These  four 
came,  as  early  as  1764,  from  Norwich,  Conn.,  and  settled  in 
town,  —  Hezekiah  on  the  Brimmer  place  ;  Lebbeus  on  the 
Lyman  Armstrong  place ;  John  on  the  Dimmick  place. 
They  were  unmarried  when  they  came.  The  mother  of 
John  and  Hezekiah  gave  them  a  bed,  and  directed  that 
whichever  of  them  should  be  first  married  should  surrender 
his  share  of  the  bed  to  the  other.  In  the  time  of  the  Ben- 
nington  battle  Hopestill  lived  in  a  log  cabin,  and  was  sur 
rounded  by  a  wilderness. 

III.  THOMAS  HENDERSON,  whose  farm  was  near  Irish 
Corners,  united  with  this  church  in  1765.  He  married  a 
daughter  of  Lieut.  James  Breakenridge,  his  next  neighbor. 
His  daughter  Jennet,  a  member  of  this  church,  married  Dr. 
Noadiah  Swift,  son  of  the  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.D.  His 
daughter,  Pliebe,  married  Harry  Smith,  Esq.,  and  after  his 
decease  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Linsley,  D.D.  Two  of  her  sons  by 
the  first  marriage  became  ministers  of  the  gospel,  —  the  Rev. 
Albert  Smith,  D.D.,  and  the  Rev.  Henry  Smith,  D.D.,  Pro 
fessor  in  Lane  Theological  Seminary.  A  son  by  Dr.  Linsley, 
Charles  E.  Linsley,  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  Also,  the  Rev. 
Abner  Henderson  was  a  grandson  of  Thomas  Henderson. 

Mr.  Henderson  was  a  man  of  the  old  Scotch  type,  —  Cal- 
vinistic,  strict  in  his  religious  notions,  but  of  amiable  dis 
position  and  incorruptible  integrity.  He  threw  away  an 
old  sword,  an  heirloom  in  the  family,  saying  that  he  was  a 
man  of  peace.2 

1  See  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  articles  Bennington  and  Dorset. 

2  Letter  of  the  Rev.  C.  E.  Linsley.' 


272  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Lucy  and  Thena  Henderson  united  with  the  church  in 
1803.  Lucy  Henderson's  name  is  on  the  diagram  as  one 
of  the  proprietors  of  pew  No.  2,  with  the  S affords. 

IV.  THE  HARMONS  were  here  at  an  earty  date  in  the  his 
tory  of  the  town.  In  the  printed  list  of  persons  settled  in 
Bennington  prior  to  June  1,  1765,  prepared  from  recollec 
tion  by  Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,1  are  the  names  of  Barna 
bas  and  Simeon  Harmon.  The  latter  name  is  on  the  old 
covenant.  It  is  also  among  the  names  of  those  who  united 
with  the  Bennington  church  during  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Dewey,  Aug.  28,  1766  ;  together  with  that  of  Nathaniel 
Harmon,  united  with  the  church  Sept.  6,  1776  ;  Daniel  Har 
mon,  united  with  the  church  May  30,  1774  ;  and  Lucretia 
Harmon,  united  with  the  church  May  30,  1774.  There  are 
seventeen  individuals  of  this  name  on  the  roll  of  the  church 
for  the  first  century.  Silas  and  Joshua  united  with  the 
church  Jan.,  1780.  Ezekiel  united  with  the  church  June  20, 
1790.  His  wife  Grace  united  with  the  church  Sept.  26, 
1790.  Their  daughter  Lucretia  (wife  of  Samuel  Scott,  died 
1832)  united  with  the  church  Jan.,  1803,  Celinda  (wife  of 
James  Henry,  died  Sept.  14,  1865,  aged  eighty-four)  united 
with  the  church  July,  1803  ;  Elizabeth  and  Rhoda  united 
with  the  church  March,  1803. 

Fisk  Harmon  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  He  is  the  son 
of  Austin  Harmon,  born  Aug.  24,  1779,  —  a  respectable 
citizen,  who  deceased  a  few  years  since  at  a  great  age, —  and 
grandson  of  Austin  Harmon,  who  settled  here  at  an  early 
day,  and  owned  an  extensive  farm  upon  the  western  border 
of  the  town,  born  April  9,  1757. 

SIMEON  HARMON  united  with  the  church  Aug.  28,  1766. 
The  following  particulars  concerning  him  are  stated  by  a 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


DEA.    NATHANIEL   HARMON.  273 

grandson :  *  "  Friday  afternoon  was  set  apart  for  the 
prayer-meeting  at  Grandmother  Robinson's.  He  would  not 
allow  anything  to  interfere  —  leave  plough  and  team,  mount 
one  of  his  colts  and  present  himself  in  the  midst  of  his  be 
loved  friends,  and  pray  and  praise  God  for  one  hour,  the 
next  hour  at  home  diligently  following  his  plough.  .  .  The 
last  days  of  his  life  he  travelled  from  place  to  place  holding 
religious  meetings." 

DEA.  NATHANIEL  HARMON  was  here  at  an  early  day.  By  the 
records  of  the  town  it  appears  he  purchased  a  farm  here  in 
1765.  An  anecdote,  illustrative  of  his  promptness  and 
earnestness  (related  to  me  by  Dewey  Hubbell),  identifies 
him  personally  with  the  Bennington  battle.  It  was  a  rude 
transaction,  but  the  time  was  urgent.  It  was  better  that 
the  dead  bodies  of  the  slain  foe  should  be  buried  in  any 
manner  than  left  to  breed  pestilence  upon  the  surface  of  the 
earth.  There  were  two  large  excavations  for  wintering 
potatoes  —  left  open  in  the  summer  time  until  another  har 
vest  —  near  by ;  Mr.  Harmon  took  his  rope  slip-noose 
halter  from  his  horse's  neck,  and  dragged  the  dead  bodies 
of  the  slain  enemy  therewith  into  the  excavations  and  covered 
them  \\ith  earth.  There  were  some  sixty  bodies  thus 
buried  in  each  of  the  two  excavations.  They  were  near 
where  the  Barnet  house  now  stands ;  parts  of  the  action 
of  that  eventful  day  were  fought  there. 

Mr.  Hubbell  related  another  anecdote.  Umbrellas  were 
first  brought  for  sale  into  the  town  in  his  day.  Dea.  Harmon, 
being  asked  to  purchase  one,  declined,  saying  that  a  little  of 
the  Almighty's  rain  would  not  hurt  him. 

Dr.  E.  D.  Harmon,  of  Chicago,  furnishes  the  following 
reminiscence,  of  him  :  "  I  recollect  his  acts  of  kindness  to 
myself  and  other  children  when  on  our  way  to  the  sehool- 

1  Dr.  E.  D.  Harmon,  of  Chicago.  1 


274  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

house  at  Irish  Corners.  If  he  was  present  when  we  passed 
by  his  apple-orchard  or  fruit-yard  we  were  sure  to  receive 
a  bestowal  of  his  bounty  in  some  choice  fruit." 

He  wras  possessed  of  ardent  and  active  piety.  He  devoted 
himself  for  some  years  to  visiting  from  house  to  house,  as  a 
modern  colporteur,  selling  and  giving  away  small  printed 
collections  of  religious  verses  and  other  matter,  designed  to 
promote  concern  and  diligence  in  religion.  A  portion  of 
a  collection  of  verses,  of  which  he  himself  was  the  author, 
has  been  preserved.  It  is  32mo  size,  and  bears  the  fol 
io  wing  title  :  "Poetical  Sketches  on  various  Solemn  Subjects  ; 
composed  by  Dea.  Nathaniel  Harmon,  late  of  Bennington, 
of  pious  memory ;  written  a  short  time  before  his  death. 
Bennington  :  printed  by  Anthony  Haswell,  1796."  The  first 
three  stanzas  of  one  of  the  hymns  in  this  collection  is  here 
subjoined,  on  the  necessit}7"  of  works  being  joined  to  faith : 

"  Faith  without  works  is  always  dead ; 

It  occupies  a  room  alone ; 
Much  like  the  knowledge  in  the  head, 
Where  grace  of  heart  was  never  sown. 

"  Works  without  faith  can  never  save ; 

But  faith  and  works  must  strictly  join  ; 

Though  faith  be  strong  and  works  be  brave, 

Yet  faith  and  works  we  must  combine. 

"  Faith  without  works  is  never  true ; 

Works  without  faith  is  poor  enough ; 
They  part  the  hoof,  but  do  not  chew, 
Or  chew  the  cud,  and  part  no  hoof." 

Of  the  Dr.  Harmon,  whose  letter  is  quoted  from  in  the 
above  sketch,  the  following  obituary  notice  is  taken  from 
the  "Bennington  Banner,"  Jan.  13,  1869  :- 

"  DECEASE  OF  A  NATIVE  OF  BENNINGTON.  —  Dr.  Elijah  D. 


GEN.    EBENEZER    WALBRIDGE.  275 

Harmon  died  at  Chicago  on  the  3d  inst.  He  was  born  in 
this  town  on  the  20th  August,  1782,  and  was,  consequently, 
in  his  eighty-seventh  year  at  the  time  of  his  demise.  At 
the  age  of  twenty-four,  in  1806,  he  went  to  Burlington,  and 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  medicine,  and  he  was  an  assist 
ant  surgeon  in  McDonough's  fleet  at  the  battle  of  Platts- 
bnrg.  Dr.  Harmon  made 'his  first  trip  from  Vermont  to 
Illinois  in  1828,  but  he  first  went  to  Chicago  to  settle,  as 
surgeon  to  the  garrison  at  Fort  Dearborn,  in  the  year  1830, 
and  he  was  for  quite  a  while  the  only  plrysician  in  Chicago. 
Dr.  Harmon  was  already  advanced  in  years  when  Chicago 
began  its  career  of  rapid  growth,  and  he  has  spent  his  days 
in  the  midst  of  the  bustling  activity  of  the  young  and 
vigorous  city,  in  comparative  retirement,  and  like  one 
belonging  to  a  by-gone  generation." 

V.  GENERAL  EBEXEZER  WALBRIDGE  came  to  Benning- 
ton  in  1765.  He  was  an  officer  in  Col.  Warner's  regiment 
of  Green  Mountain  Boys  in  the  winter  campaign  of  1776, 
in  Canada,  and  on  the  3d  of  March,  of  that  j*ear,  he  was 
before  Quebec,  a  lieutenant  in  Capt.  Gideon  Brownson's 
company,  and  adjutant  of  the  regiment.  He  also  served 
as  adjutant  in  Bennington  battle,  where  his  brother,  Henry 
Walbridge,  was  killed.  In  1778  he  was  lieutenant-colonel 
in  the  militia,  and,  in  1780,  succeeded  Col.  Herrick  in  the 
command  of  the  Bennington  regiment,  and  afterward  be 
came  brigadier-general.  He  was  in  active  service  on  the 
frontiers  at  several  periods  during  the  war,  and  in  Dec., 
1781,  when  troops  were  called  out,  by  both  New  York  and 
Vermont,  to  sustain  their  respective  claims  to  jurisdiction 
over  the  "  Western  Union,"  as  it  was  called,  Col.  Wai- 
bridge  commanded  those  of  thjp;  State.  But  for  the  de- 
cfcled  superiority  of  the  Vermont  force,  and  a  disposition 
to  forbearance  on  the  part  of  the  Vermont  authorities,  it 


276  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

seems  probable  an  actual  military  collision  would  Lave  oc 
curred.  The  matter  was,  however,  compromised  for  the 
time  being,  through  the  mediation  of  Gen.  Stark,  who  was 
then  in  command  at  Saratoga,  and  the  troops  on  both  sides 
were  withdrawn.  The  correspondence  of  Col.  Walbridge 
with  the  New  York  authorities,  which  is  creditable  to  his 
intelligence  and  decision  of  character,  as  well  as  forbear 
ance,  is  preserved  among  the  papers  of  Gov.  Clinton,  in 
the  State  library,  at  Albany. 

Gen.  Walbridge  also  served  the  State  faithfully  and  well 
in  civil  life.  He  was  a  representative  of  the  town  in  the 
General  Assembly,  in  1778  and  1780,  and  a  member  of  the 
State  Council  for  eight  years,  —  1786-1 795.1 

His  remains  were  interred  in  the  old  burying-ground, 
and  a  memorial  slab,  at  the  head  of  the  grave,  has  upon  it 
this  inscription :  — 

"  In  memory  of  Gen.  Ebenezer  Walbridge,  who  departed 
this  life  Oct.  the  3d,  1819,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his 
age. 

"  He  was  an  affectionate  husband,  and  indulgent  father, 
and  a  friend  to  all  mankind.  He  died  in  the  full  belief  of 
a  glorious  resurrection  in  and  through  the  atonement  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord." 

The  Walbridge  genealogy  is  traced  back  to  Suffolk 
county,  England.  Miss  Charlotte  Walbridge,  of  Albany, 
has  a  copy  of  the  coat  of  arms  of  the  Suffolk  Walbridges, 
on  which  are  certain  armorial  bearings  to  show  that  "  Sir 
William  de  Walbridge  accompanied  king  Richard  Coeur  de 
Lion  to  the  holy  land,  in  the  4th  crusade,  and  there  greatly 
distinguished  himself."  He  was  u  under  one  of  the  con 
federated  ducal  sovereigns  of  France." 

Gen.  Ebenezer  Walbridge,  born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  Dec. 
20,  1738  ;  Elizabeth  Stebbms,  his  wife,  born  in  Northfiel^l, 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


THE    WALBRIDGES.  277 

Mass.,  Oct.  1736.  One  of  his  sons,  Stebbins,  married 
Betsey  Demo,  of  Bennington.  Their  children :  Sophia, 
married  John  L.  Winne  ;  Betsey,  married  Uel  Hicks  ;  Steb 
bins  D.,  married  Harriet  Hicks  (second  wife,  Eliza  Ann 
Skinner,  April  18,  1835)  ;  George,  married  Mary  Ann 
Olin ;  Charlotte ;  Fanny,  married  Joseph  N.  Hinsdill ; 
Ebenezer ;  Ebenezer  2d,  married  Mary  Ann  Hicks  ;  Bet 
sey  W.,  married  Chauncey  Hopkins.  Henry,  the  first  child 
of  Gen.  Ebenezer  Walbridge,  had,  among  other  children,  a 
son,  Henry,  whose  daughter,  Mary,  married  Washington 
Hunt,  one  of  the  governors  of  New  York.  Hiram  Wai- 
bridge,  of  New  York  city,  is  also  his  son. 
24 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

PERSONAL    NOTICES. 
1766-1769. 

)LNATHAN  HUBBELL.  — On  a  petition  of  the 
settlers  to  the  king,  dated  Nov.,  1766,  among 
other  names  is  that  of  Elnathan  Hubbell.  He  was 
also  one  of  the  ten  rescuers  of  Remember  Baker, 
captured,  and  attempted  to  be  carried  of,  by 
Munro  and  his  party  in  the  interest  of  the  New 
York  land  claimants.1 

On  his  tombstone,  in  the  burying-ground,  is  the  follow 
ing  inscription :  — 

"  The  body  of  Elnathan  Hubbell 

"Beside  this  monumental  stone 
Consigned  is,  dust  to  dust. 
Reader,  perhaps  a  single  hour 
Shall  make  this  fate  thine  own." 

"He  departed  this  life  July  the  21st,  A.  D.  1788,  aged 
seventy-one  years.  He  was  converted  in  the  sixty-ninth 
year  of  his  age. 

"  Reader,  accept  the  solemn  call, 

Instruction  from  the  tomb  receive ; 
Behold  the  certain  fate  of  all, 
And  seal  your  pardon  while  you  live." 

l  Hall's  Early  History  Vermont,  p.  137. 


DEA.    AAEON  HVBBELL.  279 

The  record  of  the  date  of  his  uniting  with  the  church  has 
not  been  preserved ;  probably  it  took  place  in  one  or  two 
years  after  the  revival  under  Messrs.  Wood  and  Burton. 
The  names  of  Aaron,  a  son,  and  of  Bildad,  another  son 
(father  of  James  Hubbell,  Esq.),  are  on  the  records  as 
uniting  with  this  church  about  the  time  of  that  revival,  and 
two  years  previous  to  the  father's  conversion. 

JAMES  HUBBELL,  ESQ.,  was  born  in  Bennington,  Oct.  17, 
1775  ;  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Dec.,  1806.  He  resided 
in  New  York  for  a  considerable  period,  and  held  the  office 
of  magistrate  under  DeWitt  Clinton,  which  gave  him  ac 
tive  and  responsible  employment.  He  afterward  returned 
to  Bennington,  and  died  here  April  24,  1840. l  He  was  the 
father  of  Mrs.  Henry  Kellogg. 

AARON  HUBBELL,  son  of  Elnathan  Hubbell,  was  born  in 
Old  Stratford,  Conn.,  Sept.  14,  1757.  He  was  converted 
and  united  with  the  church  as  above.  His  wife,  Sarah, 
united  with  the  church  when  he  did. 

He  was  twenty  years  of  age  at  the  time  of  the  Benning 
ton  battle,  and  a  member  of  Captain  Samuel  Robinson's 
company  of  militia.  He  afterward  became  lieutenant  of 
the  company.  After  the  first  successful  engagement  of  the 
battle,  —  that  at  Baum's  redoubt, — he  was  placed  as  one 
of  the  guards  sent  over  the  prisoners  captured  in  that  ac 
tion,  as  they  were  marched  to  the  Bennington  meeting 
house.  In  a  manuscript  statement,  in  possession  of  Gov. 
Hall,  Mr.  Hubbell  states  that  those  prisoners  numbered 
over  six  hundred. 

He  possessed  great  unaffectedness  and  simplicity  of  char 
acter.  An  incident  related  of  him  to  this  effect  may  be 
mentioned.  He  had  a  very  large  woodpile  in  a  place  deemed 

l  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  166. 


280  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

too  prominent  by  some  members  of  the  family,  and  they 
remonstrated  with  him,  saying,  "  What  will  passers-by 
think  of  it?"  His  reply  was,  "Any  man  of  sense,  I  am 
sure,  would  like  to  see  a  large  woodpile  ;  and  as  for  those 
who  haven't  sense  I  care  not  what  they  think  concerning 
it." 

He  was  more  careful  than  some  others  not  to  speak 
against  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens.  If  aught  was 
said  ill  of  others  in  his  presence,  he  was  accustomed  to  say, 
"  Well,  we  may  be  left  to  do  the  same  or  worse."  He  held 
for  years  the  office  of  justice  of  the  peace,  which  was  in 
those  days  an  honored  office,  and  bore  the  appellation 
Esquire  Hubbell.  He  was  greatly  respected  for  his  integrity 
and  good  judgment. 

He  was  seventy-seven  years  of  age  when  appointed 
deacon,  December  15,  1834.  The  church  was  divided  upon 
two  candidates,  and  there  was  much  spirit  on  both  sides, 
and  evil  consequences  threatened.  To  avoid  the  perpetua 
tion  of  strife  in  the  church,  both  parties  turned  to  Esquire 
Hubbell.  He  was  nominated  and  elected  without  opposi 
tion.  He  arose  and  said,  "  I  would  not  accept  this  respon 
sible  position,  but  I  see  in  what  condition  the  church  is ; 
there  are  rival  candidates,  and  there  may  be  difficult3T ;  to 
preserve  the  church  from  this,  I  accept  the  office."  There 
was  intense  feeling  of  relief,  and  many  were  in  tears. 

His  first  wife  was  Sarah,  daughter  of  Captain  Elijah 
Dewey  and  Eunice  Brush,  and  grand-daughter  on  her 
father's  side  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey.  She  was  married  to 
him  at  the  age  of  seventeen  by  the  "  Rev.  David  Avery, 
V.  D.  M.,"  June  27,  1782. 

Their  first  child,  Sarah,  born  June  20,  1783  ;  united  with 
the  church,  May  4,  1817  ;  died  August,  1844,  was  the  wife 
of  Hon.  Stephen  Robinson. 

Their   second  child,    Betsey,   born    February  24,   1785  ; 


FAMILY    OF   DEA.    A.    HUBBELL.  281 

united  with  t'ic  church,  September  4,  1831  ;  died,  September 
6,  1845  ;  married  Daniel  McEowen,  and,  after  his  decease, 
Harman. 

Their  third  child,  Laura,  born  March  '18,  1787,  married 
John  Yanderspiegel,  August  G,  1815 ;  united  with  the 
church,  May  2,  1863;  died  August  15,  1864,  aged  77, 
deeply  lamented  by  children  and  grandchildren,  and  much 
esteemed,  by  all  her  acquaintances  and  many  friends,  for 
her  amiableuess,  sprightly  conversation,  and  kindness  of 
heart. 

Their  first  son,  and  fourth  child,  was  Elijah  Dewey  Hub- 
bell;  born  May  8,  1790;  married  to  Laura,  daughter  of 
Hon.  Truman  Squier ;  died  February  3,  1864 ;  of  an 
amiable  and  social  disposition  and  of  unblemished  integrity. 
He  was  honored  for  many  years  with  the  office  of  first 
selectman  in  the  town,  and  with  other  important  public 
trusts. 

He  possessed  a  remarkably  well-stored  memory  of  dates, 
as  well  as  facts  and  particulars  of  the  early  history  of  this 
town,  and  has  been  much  consulted  in  such  matters  ;  he 
had  preserved  many  papers  and  documents  of  interest  re 
specting  the  early  history  of  this  town. 

He  inherited  a  valuable  farm  from  his  grandfather,  Cap 
tain  Elijah  Dewey,  for  whom  he  was  named,  and  the  family 
have  in  their  possession  a  full-length  portrait  of  Captain 
Dewey,  said  to  be  an  excellent  likeness..  His  daughter, 
Georgianna,  married  the  Rev.  Martin  T.  Sumner,  a  Baptist 
clergyman. 

The  fifth  child  of  Deacon  Aaron  Hubbell,  Maria,  born 
October  27,  1792;  married  to  Isaac  T.  Robinson;  united 
with  the  church,  March  4,  1827,  —  ministry  of  the  Rev. 
Daniel  A.  Clark,  — died  November  19,  1860.  Sound  in  the 
faith,  clear  in  her  understanding  of  Christian  truth,  patient, 
cheerful,  forgiving,  faithful,  she  was  a  model  woman  in  all 
24* 


282  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

the  relations  of  life,  and  eminently  so  as  a  member  of  the 
church  of  God.  Of  her  two  children,  one  became  a  deacon 
of  this  church,  and  the  other,  Daniel  Robinson,  is  a  member 
and  trustee  of  the  Second  Street  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
Troy,  New  York. 

Deacon  Hubbell  married  for  his  second  wife  LUCINDA 
MOODY.  She  was  born  in  Wbodbury,  Conn.,  Jan.  15,  1770. 
She  came  here  from  Farmington,  Conn.,  in  1797.  She  re 
tained  vivid  recollections^of  seeing  Gen.  Washington  when, 
as  Commander-in-chief  of  the  American  forces,  he,  on  one 
occasion,  passed  through  Farmington.  She  was  married 
March  11,  1798.  She  was  hopefully  converted  in  the  revi 
val  in  1803,  and  united  with  this  church  at  that  time. 

She  deceased  in  the  home  of  her  daughter  Catherine,  and 
son-in-law  Richard  Smith,  Esq.,  in  Sharon,  Conn.,  Oct.  3, 
1864.  She  was  at  the  time  of  her  death  in  the  ninety-fifth 
year  of  her  age.  She  had  bright  eyes,  a  noble  physique,  and 
remarkable  health  and  spirits,  up  to  the  last  plying  her  knit 
ting-needles,  and  keeping  her  information  abreast  of  the 
times,  particularly  as  to  the  affairs  of  the  town,  and  to  a 
great  extent  of  the  country  at  large. 

Ever  hospitable  to  all  who  came  under  her  roof,  she 
kept  a  bed  exclusively  for  wayfarers  who  called  for  a  night's 
lodging,  however  abject  they  might  be,  and  personally  at 
tended  to  its  being  kept  in  order.  She  lived  to  see  a  large 
circle  of  descendants,  and  many  great-grandchildren,  all 
of  whom  remember  with  affection  and  gratitude  her  effi 
cient  care  to  promote  their  happiness. 

Her  first  child,  Harriet,  Mrs.  Daniel  Conkling,  perished 
in  the  wreck  of  the  "  Swallow,"  on  the  Hudson  River,  April 
7,  1845.  Affectionate  and  beautiful  tributes  to  her  supe 
rior  worth  appeared  in  the  "  New  York  Observer "  and 
"  Bennington  Banner"  of  that  day.  She  was,  at  the  time 
of  her  decease,  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Albany,  N.  Y. 


D.    H   CONKLING.  283 

D.  HUBBELL  COXKLING,  a  son  of  Mr.  an'd  Mrs.  Daniel 
Conkling,  died  in  Paris,  Feb.  17,  1868.  He  possessed  a 
noble  and  generous  nature,  and  great  executive  ability. 
He  had  amassed  wealth,  as  a  member  of  the  firm  of  H.  B. 
Claflin  &  Co.,  New  York  city,  and  gave  with  a  liberal  hand 
to  many  a  worth}7  cause.  He  had  returned  to  Bennington 
to  reside,  where,  as  a  public-spirited  citizen,  he  was  becom 
ing  more  and  more  widely  loved  and  valued. 

The  intelligence  of  his  death  produced  a  profound  sensa 
tion  of  surprise  and  sorrow.  He  had  united  with  the  First 
church. 

Another  daughter  of  Dea.  Hubbell  and  Lucinda,  his  wife, 
Caroline,  united  with  this  church  May  6,  1827,  married  the 
Rev.  Hollis  Read.  They  went  as  missionaries  to  India, 
and  returned  after  some  years  to  this  country  on  account  of 
her  health.  A  son  of  theirs,  Edward  Read,  is  a  minister  of 
the  gospel. 

The  above-named  Elijah  Dewey  expressed  in  his  last 
years  a  hope  of  salvation  in  Christ  alone,  but  did  not  con 
nect  himself  with  the  church  ;  all  the  other  children  of  Dea. 
Hubbell  became,  or  have  become,  members  of  some  church. 

II.  JOSEPH  ROBINSON  settled  at  Irish  Corners  in  1766. 
Of  eight  children,  Dr.  Ebenezer  Robinson,  born  1783,  still 
living  and  resident  in  the  same  place,  is  the  only  survivor. 

PETER  ROBINSON,  grandfather  to  the  above  Joseph  Robin 
son,  settled  in  Martha's  Vineyard,  Mass. ;  his  son  Joseph 
moved  thence  to  "Windham,  Conn.,  where  Joseph,  the  early 
settler  in  Bennington,  was  born. 

The  name  Joseph  Robinson  is  on  the  roll  of  Capt.  Elijah 
Dewey's  company,  in  Col.  Moses  Robinson's  regiment  of 
militia  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  at  Mount  Inde 
pendence,  in  1776. 

The  ancestors  of  Mary  Lucas,  wife  of  Joseph  Robinson, 


MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

were  emigrant's  from  Coleraine  in  Ireland,  and  were  of 
Scotch  descent.  They  settled  in  Coleraine,  Mass.,  and 
saw  the  troubles  of  the  French  war.  She  when  a  child 
lived  seven  years  in  a  fort. 

III.  ROBERT  COCIIRAX,   Robert,  Jr.,   and  Mary  Cochran 
united  with  this  church  in  1767.     Robert  Cochran  owned  the 
farm  subsequently  in  possession  of  P.  M.  Henry  ;  he  sold  it 
and  removed  westward,  soon  after  the  Revolutionary  War. 
He  is  not  the  Robert  Cochran  famous  in  connection  with 
the  New  York  controversy. 

IV.  DAVID  HAYNES  settled  here  at  an  early  dajT,  1768, 
on  the  farm  now  the  residence  of  Dea.  John  Vail.    He  died 
1776,  and  Ruth  Paige,  his  wife,  died  1796.     Lyclia,  their 
daughter,  was  the  wife  of  Hopestill  Armstrong.     Miriam, 
another  daughter,  married  Dea.  Hezekiah  Armstrong.  Abi 
gail,  another  daughter,  married  Jonathan  Armstrong.    (He 
was  one  of  the  two  persons  who  captured  the  wounded  Col. 
Pfister,  —  a  "  volunteer  from  the  vicinit}^  of  Bennington,  and 
into  whose  hands  there  fell,  as  the  spoils  of  war,  a  portion 
of  his  baggage,  among  which  was  found  his  commission,  on 
parchment,  as  '  Lieutenant  in  His  Majesty's  sixteenth,  or 
Royal  Regiment  of  Foot,'  dated  Sept.  18,  1760,  and  signed 
by  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst ;  a  set  of  draughting  instruments, 
and  a  map  of  the  route  from  St.  John's,  through  Lakes 
Champlain   and  George,  and   along  the  Hudson,  to  New 
York.     .     .     .     These  relics  are  in  the  possession  of  the 
Hon.  L.  B.  Armstrong,  of  Dorset,  a  grandson  of  the  soldier 
into  whose  hands  they  fell  on  the  battle-field.")  1   Aaron,  a 
son  of  the  above  David  Haj-nes,  was  a  Baptist  preacher, 
married  Molly,  sister  of  Jonathan  Armstrong. 

David  Haynes,  Jr.,  was  son  of  the  above.     Of  his  chil- 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


COL  nx  —  FILLMORE.  285 

dren,  the  only  one  living  and  remaining  in  town  is  Mrs. 
Temmy,  widow  of  the  late  Alvah  Rice,  and  mother  of  Ed 
ward  Rice. 

V.  REUBEN  COLVIN  was  an  early  settler  in  Bennington, 
his  name  being  found  on  a  petition  to  the  Governor  of  New 
Hampshire  in  1769.     He  was  in.  Bennington  battle,  as  ap 
pears  by  Capt.  Samuel  Robinson's  roll  of  those  engaged  in 
the  action  belonging  to  his  company.     His  residence  was 
near  the  place  of  the  depot  at  the  north  village,  where  he 
died  July  23,  1813,  aged  sixty-nine.  .  He  had  three  sons : 
David,  who  died  Sept.  10,  1852,  aged  eighty-five ;  Thomas, 
who   died   July  23,  1856,  aged  eighty-five  ;   and  Reuben, 
Jr.      Mrs.  Eliza,  wife  of  William  E.  Hawks,  is  the  only 
child  of  Daniel   Colvin  now  remaining  in  town.     Of  the 
children  of  Thomas  ;    Sidney,  John   V.,  and  Reuben,  all 
with   families,  are   now  residents    in   North   Bennington. 
Charles  S.  Colvin,  of  East  Bennington,  is  the  only  son  of 
Reuben  Colvin,  Jr.     Dea.  John  W.  Vail  is  a  grandson  of 
Reuben  Colvin,  Sen.,  whose  daughter,  Freelove,  was  Dea. 
Vail's  mother. 

VI.  NATHANIEL  FILLMORE  united  with  this  church  in 
1773,  —  ministry  of  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey.    He  was  a  reputable 
citizen ;  an  ensign  in  Capt.  Dewey's  compairv  in  the  battle 
of  Bennington.     His  son  Nathaniel,  born  April  19,  1771, 
father  of  President  Fillmore,  married  here,  and  emigrated 
to  Western  New  York  about  the  j'ear  1798,  residing  in  Au 
rora,  Erie  County.    Another  son  of  Nathaniel,  Sen.,  Elijah 
Fillmore,  Esq.,  was  representative  of  the  town  in   1839  ; 
lived  and  died,  much  respected  by  his  neighbors  and  fellow- 
citizens,  in  the  west  part  of  the  town,  in  1853,  leaving  a 
numerous  family  of  children. 


286  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

VII.  SIMEON    HATHAWAY,    JR.,    and    Anne   Hathaway 
united  with  this  church  during  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  Mr. 
Dewey,  May  3,   1776.     The  name  of  Simeon  Hathaway, 
Sen,,  appears  on  a  petition  to  the  Governor  of  New  Hamp 
shire,  dated  October,  1769.     Simeon  Hathaway  is  also  on 
the  roll  of  Capt.  Robinson's  company  in  the  Bennington 
battle  as  lieutenant.     Levi  Hathaway,  Abram  Hathaway, 
Alpheus  Hathaway,  are  also  on  the  roll.     There  are  nine 
teen  individuals  of  the  name  on  our  church-roll. 

VIII.  THOMAS  JEWETT'S  name  is  on  the  petition  l  of  the 
Bennington   settlers  to  the  Governor  of  New  Hampshire, 
dated  October,  1769.     He  came  here  from  Norwich,  Conn. 
He  was  active  in  the  Bennington  battle,  and  took  the  sword 
and  hat  from  Col.  Baum.     He  was  a  lieutenant  of  Capt. 
Dewey's  company.      The  sword  was  afterward  purchased 
by  David  Robinson,  and  used  by  him  as  a  captain  of  cav 
alry,  and  subsequently  as  a  field  and  general  officer  of  the 
militia,  and  is  still  in  the  possession  of  his  grandson,  G. 
W.  Robinson.2     Lieut.  Jewett  tore  off  the  ornaments  from 
the  hat  and  wore  it,  as  he  had  lost  his  own.     It  is  now  in 
the   possession  of  descendants   in   Wey bridge.      Thomas 
Jewett  first  settled  in  a  log  house,  south  of  East  Benning 
ton.     He  has  numerous  descendants. 

IX.  CHARLES  CUSHMAN  united  with  the  church  in  1784. 
A  Charles   Cushman  was  inn-keeper  at  an  early  day ;  in 
1779,  one  of  a  committee,  "  as  listers,  to  go  round  the  town 
and  take  the  lists  of  all  who  will  pay  their  proportion  of  the 
above  sum"  (voted  to  supply  the  pulpit),  "  and  to  take  the 
names  of  all  those  who  refuse  to  give  in  the  list."  3     John 
and  Mrs.  Cushman  united  with  the  church  1803.     Charles 
and  Anne  united  with  the  church  1817. 

1, 2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.  3  Town  Records. 


ELEAZER   HAWKS.  287 

X.  ELEAZER  HAWKS  united  with  this  church  January 
29,  1786.  He  came  here  in  1774,  from  Deerfield,  Mass., 
when  a  young  man,  drawn  hither  l>y  the  circumstance  that 
John  Kinsle}^  had  settled  here,  between  whose  daughter 
Rhoda  and  himself  there  was  a  tender  attachment.  He  set 
tled  on  land  next  to  the  Kinsley  farm. 

Some  particulars  of  his  connection  with  the  Bennington 
battle  assist  to  more  vivid  impressions  of  the  event.  He 
felt  it  his  dut}T  to  remain  near  home  as  long  as  possible,  on 
account  of  the  illness  of  his  wife  ;  and  was  pursuing  his 
work  in  the  field,  when  the  noise  of  the  firing,  as  the  battle 
commenced,  burst  upon  him  over  Whip-Stock  Hill.  He 
went  for  his  musket,  and  proceeded  with  speed  to  join  his 
neighbors  and  counts-men  in  the  terrible  encounter.  He 
was  not  a  member  of  either  of  the  companies  of  militia.  He 
was  one  of  the  volunteers,  as  were  many  others.  One  of 
his  duties  was  to  assist  in  conveying  wounded  from  the 
battle-field  into  town,  which  he  did  on  his  father-in-law's 
ox-cart.  Some  died  of  their  wounds  on  the  way.  The  old 
meeting-house  became  packed  full  of  prisoners,  so  full  that 
fears  were  entertained  lest  it  should  break  down.  Some 
were  let  out  in  consequence,  and  some  escaped. 

When  Mr.  Hawks  returned  to  his  home  (a  log  hut  with 
out  chimnej's  and  with  but  one  room),  it  was  empty.  His 
wife,  an  invalid,  had  been  conve}-ed,  on  a  bed  upon  an  ox- 
sled,  by  her  father,  for  refuge,  in  case  the  result  of  the  battle 
had  been  adverse  to  Pownal,  to  the  town  next  south,  whither 
many  of  the  feeble  and  helpless  had  been  conveyed  for 
safety.  Mrs.  Hawks  survived  the  fatigue  and  exposure  of 
her  flight  but  a  short  time. 

The  second  wife  of  Eleazer  Hawks,  and  mother  of  Capt. 
Ira  Hawks,  was  Anna  (united  with  the  church  1803), 
daughter  of  Daniel  Clark,  of  Shaftsbury,  who  was  in  the 
battle  and  wounded,  and  who  died  of  his  wounds  soon  after. 


288  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

William  E.  Hawks,  an  officer  in  the  Baptist  church  of  North 
Bennington,  is  a  grandson  of  Eleazer  Hawks.  A  grand 
daughter,  daughter  of  Capt.  Ira  Hawks,  married  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Palmer,  deceased,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Hoosic  Corners. 


CHAPTER    XX. 

PERSONAL    NOTICES. 

1775-1776. 

I^ACON  JOSEPH  BINGHAM,  with  Jeremiah,  the  elder 
of  his  sons,  united  with  this  church  May  3,  1776. 
They  left  Norwich,  Conn.,  about  the  time  of  tie 
first  settlement  of  Bennington,  though  they  did 
not  come  here  until  a  short  time  before  the  com 
mencement  of  the  American  Revolution.  On  their 
removal  from  Norwich,  they  first  settled  in  Charlemont, 
Mass.,  and  came  to  Bennington  from  that  place.  Whether 
this  was  a  family  of  Separates  does  not  certainly  appear. 
It  is,  however,  quite  probable,  as  they  left  Norwich,  or  its 
vicinity,  about  the  time  that  a  Separate  church  (that  of 
Newint),  or  portions  of  it,  left  the  same  vicinity  to  remove 
to  Bennington.  In  the  records  of  the  Newint  Separate 
church,  at  the  installation  of  Joseph  Safford  as  deacon 
there,  one  Deacon  Samuel  Bingham  was  present  from  an 
other  Separate  church,  as  delegate,  and  took  part  in  the 
proceedings. 

DEACON  JOSEPH  BINGHAM  1  was  a  lieutenant  in  a  com 
pany  of  Provincials  during  the  French  war.  At  one  time, 
when  stationed  with  his  men  near  Ticonderoga,  his  men 
were  ordered  to  perform  some  fatigue  duty.  While  en 
gaged  in  this,  one  of  them  was  taken  sick.  Lieut.  Bingham 

1  The  following  notice  of  the  Bingham  family  is  chiefly  condensed  from  an  arti 
cle  in  the  "  Bennington  Banner  "  of  December  28,  1855. 
25 


290  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

told  him  to  quit  work  and  lie  down.  Presently  an  English 
officer,  accustomed  to  bear  himself  in  a  haughty  manner 
toward  the  Provincials,  began  to  cane  the  sick  man  be 
cause  he  was  not  at  work.  Lieut.  Bingham  saw  this  out 
rage  and  dared  to  interfere.  He  ordered  the  haughty 
English  officer  to  desist,  which  the  said  officer  thought  it 
best  to  do,  for  Lieut.  Bingham  was  a  man  of  courage  and  of 
extraordinary  muscular  power,  and  he  deemed  he  had  the 
right  to  the  control  of  his  own  men  in  such  a  case. 

At  the  time  of  the  Bennington  battle,  Deacon  Bingham 
had  been  made  lame  by  having  one  hip  broken,  but  was 
able  to  walk  with  the  help  of  a  cane  ;  it  was  not,  therefore, 
expected  that  he  would  go  into  the  battle-field.  He  went, 
with  many  others  who  were  aged  and  infirm,  to  the  meeting 
house,  or  its  vicinity,  and  while  they  were  collected  there, 
and  while  the  battle  was  raging,  he  proposed  that  they 
should  lift  up  their  voices  and  their  hearts  in  fervent  prayer 
to  the  God  of  battles,  that  he  would  bless  their  sons,  broth 
ers,  and  friends  who  were  in  the  battle  fighting  for  their 
homes  and  for  liberty ;  and  that  he  would  permit  them  to 
return  again  and  peacefully  enjoy  their  homes.  The  prayer 
was  heard ;  at  least,  the  blessings  it  supplicated  were 
granted.  The  old  man  was  allowed  to  return  to  his  home 
and  find  it  undisturbed. 

Epitaph  of  Deacon  Joseph  Biugham  : — 

"  '  Tempus  verax  mortalium.' 

"  Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Deac.  Joseph  Bingham,  who 
departed  this  life  Nov.  4,  1787,  in  the  79th  year  of  his  age. 
He  left  the  church  militant  to  join  the  church  triumphant 
above. 

"  '  "Why  do  we  mourn  departed  friends  ? ' " 

At  the  close  of  the  war  Jeremiah  removed  to  Cornwall, 
in  this  State,  where  he  trained  a  family  of  sons  and  daugh- 


DEA.    CALVIN  SINGH  AM.  291 

ters,  and  was  loved  and  honored  by  his  fellow-citizens  to 
the  end  of  his  days  for  his  piety  and  manly  virtues.  He 
lived  to  be  almost  a  hundred  year,s  old. 

DEACON  CALVIN  BINGHAM,  the  younger  son,  remained  on 
the  farm  with  his  father  and  mother  while  they  lived,  and, 
after  their  decease,  lived  and  died  there.  He  united  with 
this  church,  and  also  brought  forward  his  six  children  for 
baptism  April  19,  1789,  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Swift. 
He  was  elected  deacon  in  this  church  July  16,  1813,  and 
continued  in  the  office  until  he  died,  February  23, 1831,  aged 
eighty.  His  regularity  and  punctuality  in  attending  public 
worship  were  proverbial.  He  was  highly  honored  for  his 
fidelity  as  a  Christian  and  an  officer  in  the  church,  and  in 
all  the  duties  of  life. 

He  had  seven  sons  and  five  daughters,  who  lived  to  the 
age  of  maturity,  and  all  became  members  of  the  church  of 
Christ.  On  Thanksgiving  day,  Dec.  6,  1855,  the  seven 
sons  and  three  of  the  daughters  were  still  living,  a»d 
all  met  together  in  their  native  town  ;  the  united  ages  of  the 
brothers  amounted  to  four  hundred  and  eight}7-four  years ; 
average  age  sixt}r-mne  years. 

Asa,  the  first  born,  has  been  many  years  an  officer  in  the 
church  where  he  resides ;  Stephen,  the  sixth,  a  deacon 
in  the  Second  Congregational  Church  in  this  town.  Two 
became  ministers  of  the  gospel,  —  Amos,  the  second  son  (for 
many  years  city  missionary  in  Philadelphia),  and  Hiram 
the  fifth ;  he  was  with  his  associate  honored  as  a  pioneer 
missionary  to  the  Sandwicfrlslands,  1819,  where  he  labored 
for  about  twenty  years,  and  saw  the  wonderful  Christian 
transformations  among  that  people.  He  is  the  author  of  a 
history  of  the  Islands.  He  found  it  necessary  to  return  to 
his  native  land  on  account  of  the  illness  of  his  wife.  A  son 
of  his,  Hiram  Bingham,  Jr.,  is  now  a  missionary  among 


292  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

the  Micronesian  Islands  ;  also  two  daughters  have  gone  to 
teach  native  girls  at  Honolulu. 

A  son  of  Calvin,  the  third  of  the  brothers,  has  been  Gov 
ernor  of  Michigan,  and  senator  in  Congress. 

REV.  AMOS  BINGHAM  was  graduated  at  Middlebury  Col 
lege.  He  studied  theology  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Burton,  of 
Thetford.  He  soon  became  a  domestic  missionary,  some 
times  in  the  employment  of  some  ecclesiastical  body,  and 
sometimes  not.  He  was  instrumental  in  the  hopeful  con 
version  of  many  souls.  He  preached  in  Peru,  "Winhall, 
and  other  places.  He  was  so  zealous  as  to  be  sometimes 
persecuted  by  those  whom  he  had  offended  in  his  faithful 
ness.  One  who  was  converted  under  his  ministry  in  Win- 
hall  removed  to  Virginia  and  married,  and  came  into  the 
possession  of  slaves.  This  man  invited  Mr.  Bingham  to 
enjoy  his  hospitality.  Mr.  Bingham  was  so  much  the 
lover  of  liberty,  and  spoke  out  so  freely,  that  he  was 
admonished  to  leave  for  his  own  safety.  He  went  thence  to 
Philadelphia,  and  remained  and  died  there.  He  was 
employed  by  the  city  authorities  to  preach  to  the  prisoners 
in  the  penitentiary.  The  prison  is  made  into  cells,  arranged 
like  the  spokes  of  a  wheel.  The  preacher  stands,  as  it  were, 
in  the  hub  of  the  wheel,  and  preaches,  not  seeing  into  the 
cells.  Mr.  Bingham  was  very  much  engaged  also  in  labors 
to  promote  the  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath  in  Phila 
delphia. 

II.  NATHANIEL  BRUSH  was  here  as  early  as  1775. 
He  lived  in  the  Judge  Isham  House.  His  sister  was 
the  first  Mrs.  Capt.  Isaac  Dewey.  He  was  colonel  of 
militia  in  the  town,  and  in  this  capacity  served  in  the  Beii- 
nington  battle.  He  was  elected  town  clerk  in  1782,  in 
which  office  he  continued  for  several  years. 


SAMUEL   BLACKMER.  293 

III.  SAMUEL  BLACKMER  moved  here  at  an  early  clay  from 
Taunton,  Mass.     His  name  appears  upon  the  town  records 
as  sealer  of  weights  and  measures,  appointed  March,  1776. 
He  died  in  1812,  aged  about  sixty-four.     His  widow  lived 
to  be  ninety-three.     Their   children  were  Samuel,  Jason, 
Jesse,  Ruby,  — Mas.  Oliver  Harwood,  of  Rupert,  —  Wilbur, 
Green,  and  Vesta,  —  Mrs.  Joseph  Harwood,  of  Rupert. 

Hox.  S.  H.  BLACKMER,  was  son  of  Samuel,  Jr.  He  de 
ceased  in  Feb.,  1861.  He  was  for  many  years  clerk  of  the 
court  and  judge  of  probate,  and  was  highly  respected.  He 
gathered  with  much  pains  a  rare  collection  of  old  volumes, 
now  in  the  possession  of  his  son,  Frank  Blackmer.  One 
book  contains  a  printed  copy  of  the  first  sermon  ever 
preached  in  New  England,  which  was  at  Plymouth  in  1621. 

HIRAM  BLACKMER  was  a  son  of  Samuel,  Jr.  He  was  in 
mercantile  business  in  Boston,  Mass.,  and  deceased  there 
Aug.  2,  1860.  He  united  with  this  church  Sept.  4,  1831, 
and  adorned  his  Christian  profession  by  a  consistent  walk 
and  conversation. 

Jason,  son  of  Samuel,  Sen.,  was  the  father  of  Warren 
Blackmer. 

IV.  MRS.  ISABELLA  HENRY  united  with  this  church  May 
5,  1811  ;  was  the  first  of  the  Henrys,  by  the  records.     She 
was  daughter  of  Mrs.  Susannah  Howe,  afterward  second 
wife  of  Governor  Moses  Robinson.     She  deceased  Dec.  28, 
1857.     The  writer  of  this  notice  had  the  pleasure  of  know 
ing  her,  and  enjoying  frequently  her  kind  and  graceful  hos 
pitality  during  the  last  few  years  of  her  life.     She  was  a 
lady  of  superior  personal  presence,  and  of  marked  polite 
ness,  as  well  as  of  excellent  Christian  spirit. 

DAVID  HENRY,   husband  of  the  above,  united  with  this 
church  Sept.  4,  1831,  and  deceased  Jan.  26,  1856  ;  of  few 
words,  but  of  sound  judgment,  and  great  kindness. 
25* 


294  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Their  only  daughter,  Mary  Ann,  united  with  this  church 
March  4,  1827 ;  their  only  son,  P.  M.  Henry,  united  with 
this  church  Sept.  4,  1831. 

JAMES  HENRY  united  with  this  church  Nov.  6,  1831  ;  his 
wife,  CELINDA  HARMON,  in  1803.  She  TOIS  eminent  for  the 
purity  of  her  Christian  character,  for  her  liberal  support  of 
the  church,  of  which  she  was  a  member,  and  for  large  bene 
factions  to  charitable  and  missionary  institutions.  Her 
daughter,  Persis  F.,  Mrs.  Alonzo  Hinsdill,  united  with  this 
church  Sept.  4,  1331  ;  Celinda,  Mrs.  Caleb  Austin,  died 
Sept.,  1844  ;  united  with  this  church  Jan.  5,  1834. 

JOHN,  son  of  John  Henry,  united  with  this  church  Sept. 
4,  1831  ;  at  the  same  time  WILLIAM  G.,  son  of  Hon.  Wil 
liam  Henry. 

The  second  among  the  Henrys  to  unite  with  this  church 
was  Alice,  daughter  of  Hon.  William  Henry  ;  united  with 
the  church  Nov.  5,  1820.  Her  mother,  Anna  Henry,  united 
with  the  church  Sept.  4,  1831.  Eight  of  the  name  of 
Henry,  and  one  besides  of  the  family,  Maria,  wife  of  James 
Hicks,  united  with  the  church  at  this  date.  Of  the  chil 
dren  of  Hon.  William  Henry,  four  became  members  of  this 
church ;  among  them  also  Lemira,  wife  of  Hon.  Charles 
Hicks.  She  was  one  of  those  in  whose  blameless  life  and 
beautiful  spirit  the  Christian  virtues  shine  without  alloy. 
A  son,  Eli  B.,  is  deacon  in  the  North  Bennington  Congre 
gational  Church.  Alida,  a  daughter-in-law  of  John  Henry, 
now  Mrs.  David  Cross,  united  with  this  church  Sept,  4, 1831. 

HON.  WILLIAM  HENRY  (born  Oct.  5,  1760,  died  May  11, 
1845)  represented  the  town  in  the  General  Assembly  for 
seven  successive  years  from  1805,  and  was  a  justice  of  the 
peace  for  thirty-nine  3^ears  in  succession,  ending  with  the 
year  1840,  being  a  longer  period  than  the  office  has  ever 
been  held  by  any  other  person  in  town.  He  was  also  judge 


DEA.    STEPHEN  HINSDILL.  295 

of  probate  for  two  years,  and,  being  familiar  with  legal 
forms  of  business,  was  the  draughtsman  of  most  of  the 
deeds,  contracts,  and  wills  of  persons  in  his  quarter  of  the 
town  for  many  years.  He  was  a  man  of  sound  judgment 
and  of  undoubted  integrity,  and  was  universally  respected. 
Hon.  William,  James,  John,  and  David  Henry  were  sons 
of  William,  one  of  several  families  of  Scotch-Irish  descent 
who  came  from  Massachusetts  and  settled  at  an  early  day 
in  the  north-west  part  of  the  town  ;  from  whom  the  neighbor 
hood  took  the  name  of  Irish  Corners,  which  it  still  retains.1 
There  are  twenty  individuals  of  the  name  on  the  church-roll. 

Y.  JOSEPH  HINSDILL  was  the  first  of  the  family  to  settle 
in  Benningtou,  and  came,  it  is  believed,  from  Hardwick, 
Mass.  He  married  Hannah  Bingham.  Their  children 
were  Norman,  married  Rhoda  Harmon,  sister  of  Mrs.  Samuel 
Scott,  and  for  his  second  wife  a  daughter  of  Gov.  Galusha  ; 
Daniel,  father  of  Milo  and  Alonzo  Hinsdill ;  Joseph, 
father  of  Joseph,  married  Fanny  Walbridge  ;  Eliza  married 
Elijah  Waters  ;  Amanda  married  R.  N.  Severance  ;  Caroline, 
Mrs.  Samuel  Weeks ;  Joanna,  Mrs.  Stephen  Robinson ; 
Jane,  Mrs.  G.  W.  Robinson  ;  Chester  ;  Hannah  married  Mr. 
Tracy  ;  Stephen,  Deacon  Hinsdill,  father  of  Mrs.  Ballard, 
Lucretia,  Mrs.  Aaron  Hubbell,  Jennett,  Mrs.  Seymour ; 
Electa  married  Jonas  Galusha ;  Hiram  married  Roxanna 
Walbridge. 

DEACON  STEPHEN  HINSDILL,  with  his  wife  Hannah,  a 
sister  of  Uriah  Edgerton,  Esq.,  united  with  the  church  during 
the  ministry  of  Mr.  Marsh,  May,  1816.  He  was  elected 
deacon  May  10,  1822,  and  removed  his  connection,  with 
others,  Nov.  9,  1834,  to  organize  theHinsdillville  Presby 
terian  Church.  He  was  the  head  of  a  manufacturing  com 
pany  in  that  place,  and  really  almost  the  company  itself, 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


296  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

which  for  a  time  was  very  flourishing,  employing  many 
operatives  and  sustaining  numerous  families.  He  possessed 
extraordinary  enterprise  and  zeal  in  whatever  he  undertook. 
He  was  much  gifted  in  prayer  and  exhortation,  and  much 
devoted  to  the  cause  of  Christ.  He  was  very  strict  in  his 
observance  of  the  Sabbath,  and  unbounded  in  his  hospi 
tality.  Before  the  establishment  of  public  worship  in 
Hinsdillville,  he  chartered  a  four-horse  team  to  bring  up 
his  neighbors  and  others  to  worship  here.  He  prepared  a 
room  and  seated  it,  in  one  of  his  buildings,  for  religious 
meetings,  and  was  chiefly  instrumental  in  the  erection  of 
the  Hinsdillville  church,  —  a  very  commodious  stone  edifice. 
The  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark  was  his  warm  friend,  and  he  was 
a  warm  friend  of  Mr.  Clark,  who,  during  his  ministry  in 
Bennington,  was  frequently  an  inmate  of  his  house.  He 
gave  his  energies  with  great  ardor  to  the  prosecution  of 
the  revival  which  took  place  in  that  part  of  the  town  in  con 
nection  with  Mr.  Clark's  labors. 

An  extended  notice  of  him  would  properly  find  a  place 
in  a  more  particular  history  of  the  church  for  the  period 
during  Mr.  Clark's  ministry  here,  and  down  to  1834,  when 
the  Hinsdillville  Presbyterian  Church  was  organized. 

He  eventually  removed  to  Michigan  and  died  there.  He 
was  one  of  the  committee  upon  the  last  revision  of  the 
articles  of  faith  and  covenant  of  this  church.  One  of  his 
daughters  married  James  Ballard,  minister  of  the  gospel. 
There  are  sixteen  of  the  name  of  Hinsdill  on  the  roll  of  the 
church. 

VI.  ELEAZER  EDGERTON  was  here  prior  to  1775.  As 
before  mentioned,  he  was  one  of  the  scouts  in  the  employ 
ment  of  the  Council  of  Safety,  who  brought  intelligence  to 
Gen.  Stark  of  the  presence  of  a  hostile  party  at  Cambridge, 
on  the  13th  of  August,  three  days  before  the  battle  ;  and  an 


JOHX  KIXSLEY — CAPT.    MOSES    SAGE.  297 

an  anecdote  is  related  illustrative  of  his  prowess  in  the 
battle. 

He  was  the  father  of  Uriah  Edgerton,  Esq.,  and  resided 
a  half  a  mile  or  so  to  the  north  of  the  late  residence  of  the 
latter.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  the  Mr.  Hyde  whose 
family  resided  upon  the  place  now  owned  and  occupied  by 
Giles  Jewett.  She  was  a  relation  of  Chancellor  Walworth. 
Mrs.  Stephen  Hinsdill  was  his  daughter. 

URIAH  EDGERTON,  ESQ.,  son  of  the  above,  deceased  April 
28,  1868,  aged  eighty-seven,  having  adorned  old  age,  and 
made  it  attractive  by  his  Christian  conversation  and  his 
genial  spirit,  and  having  enjoyed  the  affectionate  esteem 
of  his  numerous  acquaintances  and  friends.  He  also  uni 
ted  with  the  Bennington  First  Church,  Sept.  4,  1831.  He 
married  a  daughter  of  Dr.  Jonas  Fay. 

VII.  JOHN   KINSLEY  united  with  this  church  in  1773. 
There  are  seven  individuals  of  the  name  of  Kinsley,  or 
Kingsley,  on  the  church-roll.     Nathaniel  Kingsley  united 
with  the  church  1784.     There  is  a  Nathaniel  Kingsley  on 
the  Newint  church  records.    Daniel  Kingsley  united  with  the 
church  1775.    Eunice  Kingsley  united  with  the  church  1780. 
Mrs.  Nathaniel  Kingsley  united  with  the  church  1784. 

ABISHA  KINSLEY,  son  of  John  Kinsley,  a  highly  respected 
and  worthy  citizen  of  the  west  part  of  the  town,  de 
ceased  Aug.  9,  1859,  born  in  Charlemont,  Mass.,  March 
18,  1766  ;  removed  to  Bennington  when  four  years  of  age. 

VIII.  CAPT.  MOSES  SAGE  settled  in  Bennington  as  early 
as  1776  ;    and,  until  1805,  was  the  most  prominent  busi 
ness  man  at   the  north  village,  which  bore  the  name  of 
Sage's  City,  until  the  establishment  of  a  post-office  there, 
in  1828,  when  it  was  called  North  Bennington.     "  To  his 


298  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

enterprise  and  energy  of  character  it  owes  not  only  its  first 
distinctive  name,  but  its  early  growth  and  business. 

"  His  business  operations  were  not,  however,  confined  to 
that  village.  For  several  years  he  had  been  either  the  sole 
or  part  owner  of  the  blast  furnace  situated  on  what  is  still 
called  Furnace  Brook,  two  miles  north  of  Bennington  vil 
lage,  and  in  1804  he  erected  what  was  then  called  the  new 
furnace  east  of  that  village.  This,  in  1811,  was  sold  to 
Thomas  Trenor,  and  in  1814  Mr.  Sage  removed  to  Cha- 
tauque  Co.,  N.  Y.,  and  died  in  1817." 

Capt.  Sage  had  a  number  of  children,,  several  of  whom 
removed  from  town  in  early  life.  Mrs.  Fanny  Coney,  his 
youngest  daughter,  is  still  living  in  Bennington  village 
with  her  son-in-law,  Charles  S.  Colvin.  Mrs.  Mary  Anne, 
wife  of  Martin  B.  Scott,  of  North  Bennington,  is  a  grand 
daughter  of  Capt.  Sage.  Olin  and  Henry  M.  Scott,  of 
Bennington  village,  are  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  B. 
Scott. 

IX.  SIMEON  SEARS  appears  on  the  tables  prepared  by 
Mrs.  Haswell  as  having  united  with  the  church  in  the  min 
istry  of  Rev.  Mr.  Dewey.  His  name  is  on  the  roll  of  Capt. 
Robinson's  company  in  the  Bennington  battle.  The  name 
of  Sears  appears  in  the  tables  of  Mr.  Paige's  Hard  wick 
Centennial  Address.  He  was  one  of  the  active  opponents 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Avery.  There  are  eleven  individuals  of 
the  name  on  the  roll  of  the  church. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

PERSONAL  NOTICES. 

1777-1784. 

)OVERNOR  ISAAC  TICHENOR  was  born  at  Newark, 
N.  J.,  Feb.  8,  1754,  and  educated  at  Princeton 
College,  then  under  the  presidency  of  the  cele 
brated  Rev.  Dr.  Witherspoon,  for  whom  and  whose 
memory  he  always  had  the  highest  veneration. 
He  first  came  to  Bennington  June  14,  1777.  Dur 
ing  the  war  of  the  Revolution  he  was  deputy  commissary- 
general  of  purchases  for  the  Northern  Department,  having 
for  his  field  of  service  an  extensive  portion  of  the  New 
England  States.  After  the  war  he  was  representative  in  the 
General  Assembly  ;  speaker  of  the  House  ;  agent  of  the  State 
at  Congress ;  member  of  the  State  Council ;  a  judge,  and 
then  chief  justice  of  the  Supreme  Court ;  member  of  the 
Council  of  Censors ;  thrice  elected  senator  in  Congress ; 
governor  of  the  State  for  eleven  years  in  all ;  and  called 
also  to  fill  other  offices  of  high  distinction  and  responsi 
bility.1 

He  gave  his  influence  with  great  cheerfulness  and  liber 
ality  to  the  interests  of  public  religion  in  this  town.  He 
bore  a  prominent  part  in  the  controversy  about  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Avery,  and  was  his  fast  friend.  His  signature  ap 
pears  alone,  on  behalf  of  the  congregation,  to  the  address 
of  that  body,  expressive  of  their  regrets  upon  Mr.  Avery's 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


300  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

dismissal.  He  took  a  warm  interest  in  the  settlement  of 
the  Rev.  Absalom  Peters.  He  had  promised  the  parish,  if 
they  would  get  a  minister  who  should  fill  the  meeting 
house,  he  would  give  them  a  bell.  Mr.  Peters  was  very 
popular  and  attractive,  and  Gov.  Tichenor  was  as  good  as 
his  word.  The  bell,  which  has  been  in  the  belfry  ever 
since,  has  his  name  inscribed  on  it  as  its  donor. 

He  used  to  marry  people,  but,  not  being  a  professor  of 
religion,  and  never  having  assumed  the  Christian  duty  of 
personally  leading  others  in  devotions,  he  performed  his 
marriage  ceremony,  likewise,  without  making  any  prayer. 
Deacon  Bingham,  on  one  occasion,  remonstrated  with  him 
against  his  practice  of  solemnizing  marriage  without 
prayer;  the  governor  replied,  "Well,  you  come  and  make 
the  prayer,  and  I  will  give  you  half  of  the  fee." 

Many  anecdotes  are  related  of  him,  illustrative  of  a 
certain  painstaking  on  his  part  to  kindly  and  cordially 
notice  all.  His  manners  and  address  were  both  impressive 
and  very  pleasing.  William  E.  Hawks,  whose  home  was 
on  the  second  farm  west  of  Aaron  Hubbell's,  relates  that, 
when  a  boy,  Gov.  Tichenor  used  frequently  to  come  that 
way  hunting ;  he  was  accustomed  to  shoot  game  from  his 
horse's  back,  and  would  ask  William  to  go  with  him  and 
pick  up  the  game.  A  quarter  of  a  dollar  placed  in  his 
hand  seemed  to  him,  in  those  childhood  days,  a  munificent 
compensation,  —  and  very  liberal  it  was.  He  thought,  as 
did  many  other  boys  in  the  town  and  in  the  State,  that  he 
was  a  special  favorite  of  Gov.  Tichenor,  and  was  ever  de 
lighted  to  see  him  come  that  way  with  his  gun  and  his 
horse. 

Gov.  Tichenor  was  once  sitting  at  his  table,  in  the  din 
ing-room,  which  opened  out  into  the  yard  in  the  rear  of  the 
house,  and  his  attention  was  called  to  a  bird,  on  one  of 
the  trees  in  sight.  A  friend  was  at  table  with  him  ;  and  he 


GOVERNOR    TICHENOR.  301 

said,  UI  can  shoot  that  bird  without  leaving  my  seat." 
The  friend  doubted  whether  the  thing  could  be  done ;  the 
governor  sent  for  his  gun,  which  was  levelled  and  fired,  and 
the  bird  fell  dead.  He  had  tried  hard,  one  day,  to  catch  a 
large  trout  in  the  Meach  hole,  and  was  obliged  to  come 
away  unsuccessful ;  a  lad  he  employed  to  do  chores,  etc., 
was  with  him,  and  slyly  went  down  the  next  morning  to 
try  his  luck,  and  was  successful.  As  he  came  up  toward 
the  governor's  with  the  fish,  Gov.  Tichenor,  quite  excited, 
said,  "It  is  too  bad  to  raise  up  eagles  to  pick  our  eyes 
out." 

When  at  Washington,  at  the  presidential  dinners,  Mrs. 
Madison  had  been  led  out  to  dinner  repeatedly  and  rather 
ostentatiously  by  a  not  very  popular  senator ;  and  certain 
of  the  others,  who  were  piqued  at  that  gentleman's  pre 
cedence,  agreed  together  to  supersede  him,  and  committed 
the  execution  of  the  task  to  Gov.  Tichenor.  The  obnox 
ious  gentleman,  on  the  next  dinner  occasion,  engaged  Mrs. 
Madison,  as  before,  in  conversation,  about  the  time  of  din 
ner  ;  and  those  who  were  in  the  secret  were  quite  impa 
tient  at  the  unpromising  aspect  of  affairs.  But  a  moment 
only  before  the  announcement  of  dinner  Gov.  Tichenor 
directly  accosted  Mrs.  Madison ;  she  arose  to  reply,  he 
added  a  word  or  two,  and  she  politely  listened ;  when  the 
call  to  dinner  came,  he  immediately  offered  her  his  arm, 
and  the  obnoxious  Congressman  was  outwitted. 

Governor  Tichenor  possessed  a  commanding  form,  a  re 
markably  fine  personal  appearance,  and  accomplished  man 
ners.  He  was  regular  in  his  attendance  at  church  ;  occupied 
a  seat  in  the  large  corner  pew,  which  took  up  the  space  on 
the  south  side  of  the  pulpit ;  arose  and  stood  reverently, 
and  yet  with  peculiar  dignity,  in  prayers  ;  gracefully  recog 
nized  such  persons  as  he  met  going  and  returning,  —  was, 
indeed,  quite  a  feature  of  the  occasion. 
26 


302  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

He  left  no  children.  The  present  residence  of  Deacon 
George  Lyman  was  his,  and  bears  the  name  of  Tichenor 
place.  He  died  Dec.  11,  1838,  aged  eighty -four.  At  the 
time  of  his  decease  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hooker  was  his  pastor, 
and  preached  his  funeral  sermon. 

The  second  Mrs.  George  Lyrnan  was  his  adopted  daugh 
ter.  She  united  with  this  church  May  7, 1843,  and  deceased 
Jan.  4,  1856  ;  a  lady  of  superior  excellence,  thoughtful, 
earnest,  and  conscientious,  dignifying  the  social  circle.  Her 
sudden  death  was  felt  to  be  a  severe  bereavement  in  the 
household,  the  church,  and  the  community.  Her  four  chil 
dren  are  members,  and  her  three  sons-in-law  officers  of 
churches. 

II.  THOMAS  HALL  came  to  Bennington  in  the  spring  of 
1779,  and  settled  on  the  farm  which  has  remained  in  the 
family,  now  the  residence  of  the  son-in-law  of  Governor  Hall, 
Hon.  T.  W.  Park.  Mr.  Hall  was  born  at  Guilford,  Conn., 
Feb.  11,  1726,  married  Phebe  Blachly,  removed  to  Wood- 
bury,  Roxbury  Parish,  Conn.,  1759,  and  thence  to  Ben 
nington.  He  united  with  the  Bennington  First  Church  in 
1785.  He  died  Dec.  23,  1802. 

NATHANIEL  HALL,  his  son,  was  deacon  of  the  old  Baptist 
church  in  Shaftsbury,  born  March  4,  1763,  died  March  4, 
1849,  spoken  of  to  the  writer  as  "  an  Israelite  indeed,  in 
whom  was  no  guile."  His  children  were  Hilaud  (Gov- 
ernor  Hall),  born  July  20,  1795  ;  Phebe,  born  March  24, 
1797,  married  James  Lazell,  died  May  27,  1860  ;  Abigail, 
born  March  13,  1799,  married  Nathan  Bowen ;  Nathaniel, 
born  March  11,  1801,  died  Aug.  19,  1846  ;  Anna,  born  Jan. 
31,  1804,  married  Daniel  C.  Dyer;  Laura,  born  April  5, 
1806,  married  Timothy  Darling,  died  Nov.  25,  1854  ;  Polly, 
born  Sept.  22,  1808,  married  Sidney  Colvin.  The  father  of 
Mrs.  Governor  Hall,  Henry  Davis,  was  in  the  battle  of 


THOMAS   HALL.  303 

Bunker  Hill,  and  served  at  West  Point  and  other  places 
during  the  Revolutionary  War. 

The  ancestors  of  Thomas  Hall  were  his  father,  Hiland 
Hall,  born  in  Guilford,  Conn.,  Sept.  20,  1703  ;  his  grand 
father,  Deacon  Thomas  Hall,  born  in  Middletown,  Conn., 
Aug.  29,  1671  ;  his  great-grandfather,  Samuel  Hall,  born  in 
England,  1626  ;  and  his  great-great-grandfather,  John  Hall, 
born  in  Kent  County,  England,  in  1584. 

III.  ANTHONY  HASWELL  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  Eng 
land,  April  6,  1756.  He  came  to  Boston  when  about 
thirteen  years  of  age,  and  served  his  apprenticeship  as  a 
printer.  He  established  the  "Vermont  Gazette  "  in  Ben- 
nington.  The  first  number  was  published  June  5,  1783, 
and  was  continued,  —  not  always,  however,  under  the  same 
name,  —  most  of  the  time  by  himself  or  members  of  his 
family,  until  October,  1850,  a  period  of  over  sixty-seven 
years.  It  had  a  much  longer  life  than  any  other  paper 
printed  in  the  State.  His  enterprise  led  him  to  originate 
several  periodicals,  —  among  them,  a  paper  in  Rutland,  also 
two  monthlies,  at  different  times,  in  Bennington.  Numer 
ous  books  and  pamphlets  were  published  by  him  on  various 
subjects,  some  of  which  were  reprints  of  valuable  works, 
and  others  original  matter.  In  the  course  of  his  life  he 
furnished  many  articles  for  the  newspaper  press  on  moral, 
religious,  and  political  subjects.  For  the  most  part  he  set 
up  his  original  matter  into  type,  when  he  composed  it,  with 
out  the  intervention  of  the  pen.  He  had  for  many  years  a 
share  of  the  public  printing  of  the  State.  Among  his  pub 
lications  may  be  mentioned  an  interesting  memoir  of  Capt. 
Matthew  Phelps,  of  three  hundred  pages,  of  which  Mr.  Has- 
well  was  the  author.  When  the  Legislature  passed  the  act 
establishing  post-offices  at  Bennington  and  other  places, 
1784,  he  was  appointed  postmaster-general,  with  extensive 


304  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

powers.  He  early  imbibed  the  principles  of  the  old  Repub 
lican  party,  and  was  active  and  zealous  in  their  defence  and 
propagation. 

Mr.  Haswell  was  a  kind  and  obliging  neighbor,  and  a 
warm,  ardent,  and  faithful  friend.1  He  became  possessed 
of  the  old  meeting-house,  after  it  ceased  to  be  used  for  pub 
lic  religious  worship,  and  had  it  removed  and  re-erected  for 
his  own  residence,  where  now  stands  the  residence  of  Hon. 
Benjamin  R.  Sears.  His  wife  and  others  wished  him  to 
divide  the  frame,  but  he  preferred  to  have  it  all.  He  de 
sired  a  large  house  and  a  large  table,  and  desired  it  full. 
He  did  not  enrich  himself,  but  he  did  much  good.  He  was 
a  man  of  extraordinary  industry,  and  his  labors  for  the 
public,  through  a  whole  life,  were  devoted  with  singular 
unselfishness. 

In  the  revival  in  1803  his  zeal  in  politics  abated,  being 
overborne  by  a  new  consecration  —  to  Christ.  At  that  time 
he  united  with  this  church  by  a  public  profession  of  faith. 

An  anecdote  will  illustrate  the  high  estimation  of  him,  in 
connection  with  his  zeal  as  a  Christian  convert,  entertained 
by  one  of  his  neighbors,  and  an  unconverted  man.  Mr. 
Nairne,  a  profane  man,  a  Scotchman,  but  characterized  by 
a  certain  heartiness  and  naivete  which  is  always  attractive, 
resided  then  in  the  house  now  the  residence  of  Henry 
Patchin.  Mr.  Nairne  had  the  Rev.  Mr.  Spaulding  and 
others  at  his  house  during  the  three-days'  meeting,  and 
with  them,  also,  Mr.  Haswell.  Mr.  Nairne  whispered  to 
his  wife,  "  Let  us  have  a  prayer  ;  I'll  call  on  Anthony  Has 
well."  Mrs.  Nairne,  an  excellent  and  lady-like  woman 
(who  united  with  the  church  in  that  revival),  said  to  her 
husband,  "  Had  you  not  better  call  on  one  of  the  minis 
ters?"  Mr.  Nairne,  with  his  Scotch  bluntness,  spoke  out 

1  For  these  particulars,  and  others  of  his  professional  and  public  career,  see 
Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  176. 


AXTJIOXY  HASWELL.  305 

so  all  could  hear,  using  a  profane  expression  which  need 
not  be  repeated,  "  I  would  as  soon  have  Mr.  HosweU" 

lie  not  only  required  the  Bible  to  be  read  at  family 
praj'ers,  but  also  had  Watts'  psalms  and  hymns  read 
through  at  that  exercise.  He  gave  to  his  two  daugh 
ters,  Susannah  and  Eliza,  each  a  copy  of  u  Watts'  Divine 
and  Moral  Songs  for  Children,"  as  a  reward  for  commit 
ting  the  songs  to  memory.  He  published  many  religious 
works,  scrmond,  and  collections  of  religious  verses.  A 
great  variety  of  these  publications  are  still  extant,  bearing 
his  imprint. 

Before  any  missionaries  had  been  sent  from  this  country 
into  heathen  lands  he  conceived  a  strong  desire,  and  often 
expressed  it,  to  have  a  son  who  should  be  qualified  and 
willing  to  go  and  preach  Christ  to  heathen  nations.  This 
desire  was  fulfilled  in  the  person  of  his  son  James  M.,  born 
subsequently  to  the  time  of  Mr.  Has  well's  oft  repeating 
this  desire.  His  two  sons,  Thomas  and  James,  the  one 
born  Sept.  26,  1807,  the  other  Feb.  4,  1810,  were  clerks  in 
the  store  of  Messrs.  Fassett  &  Selden,  in  Troy,  N.  Y., 
about  the  year  1830  ;  and,  during  a  revival  in  that  city, 
were  hopefully  converted,  and  both  resolved  to  fit  them 
selves  for  the  ministr3r.  They  alternately  attended  the 
Presbyterian  and  Baptist  meetings  for  some  months  ;  both 
invariably  attending  the  same  meeting,  until  one  Sabbath 
James  said  to  Thomas,  "  Brother,  I  must  be  a  Baptist  and 
go  to  the  heathen."  Thomas  replied,  "  Well,  I  will  be  a 
Presbyterian  ;  we  will  both  go  into  the  field  and  see  which 
can  do  the  most  good  in  the  cause  of  our  Lord  and  Master." 
Thomas  became  a  minister  of  the  gospel  and  home  mission 
ary,  in  which  service  he  died.  James  went  to  Burmah  as 
foreign  missionary,  translated  the  New  Testament  into  a 
Burmese  dialect,  and,  after  some  thirty-three  years'  labor 
in  that  country,  has  been  compelled  to  retire  by  the  failure 
26* 


306  MEMORIALS   OF  A   CENTURY. 

of  his  health.  James,  a  son,  was  sent  to  this  country  and 
graduated  at  college,  and  returned  a  preacher  of  the  gospel 
to  labor  in  Burmah,  but  was  overtaken  by  failure  of  his 
health.  Julia  Ann  Eliza  became  the  wife  of  a  missionary, 
and  is  still  in  Burmah.  Another  daughter,  not  married,  is 
also  doing  efficient  missionary  service  there. 

Eliza,  daughter  of  Anthony  Haswell,  married  Hiram  Har- 
wood.  James  H.  Harwood,  minister  of  the  gospel,  is  their 
son. 

Susannah,  another  daughter,  married  Darius  Clark.  Their 
daughter  Lydia  drew  the  old  meeting-house  in  the  frontis 
piece  in  this  volume  —  said  to  be  a  truthful  representation 
of  that  sanctuary  —  from  dimensions,  shape,  and  position 
preserved  in  the  recollection  of  old  inhabitants. 

WILLIAM  HASWELL,  seventh  child  of  Anthony  Haswell, 
was  elected  clerk  of  this  church  September  28,  1849,  and 
remained  so  until  his  decease,  December  16,  1864.  He  was 
much  assisted  in  his  labors  as  town  clerk,  and  in  other 
offices  requiring  a  large  amount  of  writing,  by  his  wife, 
Sarah,  daughter  of  Col.  Samuel  Robinson,  born  October 
8,  1791  ;  united  with  this  church  January  6,  1833  ;  died 
December  14,  1850. 

The  following  obituary  notice  of  him  is  from  the  "  Ben- 
nington  Banner :  "  — 

"  William  Haswell  was  appointed  postmaster  of  this 
town  June  6,  1813,  and  held  the  office  until  November, 
A.  D.  1833,  twenty  years  and  over.  He  was  also  town 
clerk  of  Bennington  from  March,  A.  D.  1821,  to  March, 
1849. 

"He  was  register  of  the  probate  court  under  judges  Ar- 
tetnas  Mattison,  Aaron  Robinson,  Jesse  Blackmer,  Jona 
than  Draper,  Sylvanus  Danforth,  Orsamus  C.  Merrill,  John 
M.  Olin,  —  in  all  twenty-one  years,  commencing  in  1826. 


307 


"  For  several  years  after  1820  the  list  of  Revolutionary 
and  invalid  pensioners  in  Bennington  county  was  very 
large,  —  the  aggregate  sums  paid  to  them  each  year  amount 
ing  to  many  thousands  of  dollars.  These  pensions  were 
nearly  all  drawn  and  distributed  by  William  Haswell, 
and  he  continued  a  pension  agent  until  the  time  of  his 
death.  He  was  proverbially  rapid  and  accurate  in  adjust 
ing  accounts  and  transacting  public  business. 

"  He  was  a  kind-hearted  neighbor  ;  a  public-spirited,  up 
right  citizen  ;  a  friend  and  benefactor  to  the  poor,  and  an 
honest  man.  Thus  he  lived  to  exemplify  the  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  which,  for  many  years,  he  professed  to  love. 

"  In  his  death  one  of  the  old  landmarks  of  Bennington 
has  passed  away.  He  died  December  16,  1864,  in  the 
seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age." 

A  large  number  of  the  descendants  of  Anthony  Haswell 
have  become  members  of  this  or  of  some  other  church. 

His  son,  Anthony  Haswell,  born  November,  1780,  died 
December  10,  1856  ;  an  intelligent  man  and  exemplary 
Christian,  genial  and  social ;  united  with  this  church  March 
1803,  and  afterward  removed  his  connection  to  the  Baptist 
church. 

Anthony  Ilaswell,  Sen.,  composed  many  hymns.  Some 
stanzas  from  one,  sung  at  the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Samuel  Rob 
inson,  Sen.,  have  been  inserted  in  the  notice  of  that  lady. 
He  also,  it  is  said,  composed  one  or  two  of  the  hymns  sung  at 
the  dedication  of  the  new  meeting-house.  One  of  the  hymns 
sung  on  that  occasion  was,  it  is  said,  composed  by  Andrew 
Selden,  Esq.,  and  one  by  a  gentleman  from  abroad.  Four 
hymns  are  printed  with  the  dedication  sermon,  but  there 
appears  to  be  no  means  of  certainly  identifying  the  authors 
severally. 

He  died  May  26,  1816. 


308  MEMORIALS   OF  A    CENTURY. 

IV.  THOMAS  WEEKS  and  Catharine,  his  wife,  removed 
to  Bennington,  from  Hardwick,  Mass.,  in  1783,  and  settled 
on  the  farm  which  has  ever  since  borne  the  name  of  the 
Weeks  farm.  He  died  August,  1804,  aged  eighty-four ; 
and  Mrs.  Weeks,  October  14,  1819,  aged  ninety-seven. 

The  names  David,  Holland,  and  Thomas  Weeks  are  on 
the  list  in  Paige's  Centennial  Address  of  the  Hardwick  in 
habitants  who  served  in  the  French  war. 

DAVID  WEEKS,  son  of  the  above,  came  with  his  father. 
He  died  October  4,  1836,  aged  eighty-three.  Elizabeth,  his 
wife,  died  April  2,  1822,  aged  fifty-six.  Beside  two  that 
died  in  infancy,  their  children  were  Abigail,  Betsey,  Susan, 
David,  Isaac,  Samuel,  Semantha,  Willard,  Maria.  All 
have  deceased  except  the  eldest,  Abigail.  Willard  died 
August  17,  1860  ;  Betsey,  Susan,  and  David  in  1861,  —  the 
four  within  eight  months  of  each  other. 

SAMUEL  WEEKS  died  January  1,  1867,  aged  sfety-six ; 
united  with  the  church  July  4,  1858 ;  father  of  Mrs. 
Rev.  Henry  M.  Swift.  Called  in  the  latter  days  of  life  to 
meet  severe  trials  of  bodily  sickness  and  unexpected  re 
verses  of  worldly  fortune,  these  he  bore  with  exemplary 
Christian  meekness  and  fortitude. 

ISAAC  WEEKS  united  with  the  church  January  5,  1862  ; 
died  January  24,  1868,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  representative  in  the  General  Assembly  in 
1860  ;  at  different  times  and  for  several  years  first  select 
man  and  town  treasurer,  and  held  other  important  offices 
in  the  town.  He  was  also,  for  many  years,  president  of 
the  Stark  Bank.  Pie  possessed  great  kindness  of  heart, 
soundness  of  judgment,  and  fidelity  to  every  trust,  and  was 
one  of  our  most  valuable  citizens,  and  died  enjoying,  in  an 
eminent  degree,  the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  acquaint 
ances  and  friends  and  of  the  community. 


COL.   MARTIN  NORTON.  309 

V.  ICHABOD  PADDOCK  came   from   Rhode   Island,  and 
settled,  soon  after  the  Revolutionary  War,  on  the  farm  since 
the  residence  of  Alonzo  Potter.     He  had  three  sons,  Dan 
iel,  Zechariah,  and  Thomas.    Daniel  was  the  father  of  Capt. 
Paddock,  now  residing  in  Pleasant  Valley.     Zechariah  was 
the  father  of  Daniel  H.  Paddock. 

VI.  WILLIAM  POTTER  came,  about  the  time  of  the  close 
of  the  Revolutionary  War,  from  Rhode  Island,  and   set 
tled  on  Mount  Anthony,  on  the  farm  east  of  the  present 
residence  of  his  grandson,  Loan  Potter.     Three  brothers 
came  together,  or  nearly  so.     The  two  others  were  John 
and  Amos  ;  these  settled  a  little  over  the  New  York  State 
line. 

VII.  COL.  MARTIN  NORTON  and  his  wife,  Betsey,  united 
with  the  church  in  November,  1784.    They  resided  where  S. 
II.  Brown,  Jr.,  now  resides.    Mrs.  Col.  Norton  was  a  devoted 
Christian.     Their  son,  Hon.  Jesse  O.  Norton,  late  member 
of  Congress  and  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  in  Illinois, 
united  with  this  church  at   thirteen  j^ears  of  age.     Their 
grand-daughter,  Sophia  Love,  became  the  wife  of  the  Rev. 
S.  II.  Hurlbut,  late  pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church 
in    New   Haven.      He   died    December   2,    1856,   having 
been  much  prospered  in  his  ministry,  warmly  beloved  by 
his  people,  and  giving  bright  promise  of  continued  useful 
ness  and  success. 

There  are  eleven  of  the  name  of  Norton  on  the  roll  of 
the  church. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 


PERSONAL  NOTICES. 

1785-1800. 

NOADIAQ  SWIFT  was  the  second  son  and  fourth 
child  of  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.D.,  and  Mary  Ann  Sedg- 
wick.  He  was  born  in  Dutchess  County,  N.  Y.,  at 
a  place  then  called  Nine  Partners,  now  known  as 
Amenia,  Feb.  24,  1776.  He,  with  his  father  and 
the  family,  removed  to  Manchester,  and  thence  to 
Bennington,  when  he  was  nine  years  of  age.  Here  he  re 
ceived  his  academical  education  under  his  father's  instruc 
tion,  and  pursued  the  stud}f  of  medicine  with  Dr.  Medad 
Parsons,  at  that  time  a  practising  physician.  He  continued 
in  the  practice  of  his  profession  here  until  prevented  by 
the  infirmities  of  age.  He  was  possessed  of  a  large  and 
powerful  frame,  an  iron  constitution,  and  an  iron  will. 
Sound  in  intellect,  and  with  a  highly  intuitive  judgment,  he 
was  at  once  a  master  of  books  and  of  common  sense.  Plain- 
spoken  and  outspoken,  of  great  frankness  and  simplicity 
of  character,  far-reaching  in  his  perceptions  of  the  public 
principles  and  measures  which  the  progress  of  the  future 
was  to  sustain,  severe  to  his  enemies  in  controversy,  re 
lentless  to  opposition,  but  confessing  his  faults  and  for 
giving  the  faults  of  others  in  the  subsequent  reaction  of 
tenderness  and  good-will,  —  he  was  a  tower  of  strength  to 
the  church,  the  community,  and  the  reforms  of  the  day.  No 
biography  could  do  justice  to  him,  unless  it  were  a  history 


DR.   NO  ADI  ATI  SWIFT.  311 

of  the  times  in  which  he  lived.  The  revivals,  the  anti- 
slavery  principle  <  and  measures,  the  temperance  reforma 
tion,  public  secular  struggles  and  enterprises  of  his  day,  — 
these  must  be  written  out  in  order  to  make  a  truthful  sketch 
of  the  life  of  Dr.  Noadiah  Swift.  It  is  not  the  purpose  of  the 
writer  in  this  work  to  describe  in  detail  the  modern  times 
of  the  church.  Persons  who  were  nearer  the  times  and 
scenes  themselves  still  live,  and  to  them  this  interesting 
and  important  service  is  respectfully  deferred.  When  the 
writer  of  this  notice  commenced  his  pastorate  here,  and  first 
became  acquainted  with  Dr.  Swift,  he  was  already  in  the 
seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age.  His  manly  form  was  still 
erect  and  noble,  and  his  independent  and  decided  spirit 
exhibited  enough  of  independence  and  decision  still ;  but 
nearly  fourscore  years,  so  many  of  them  years  of  toil,  and 
with  some  share  of  life's  heavy  afflictions  in  the  loss  of  be 
loved  ones  by  death,  had  begun  to  disclose  their  effect.  But 
no  one  could  see  him  in  his  place  in  the  house  of  God,  or 
hear  his  trembling  accents  in  prayer  in  the  lecture-room,  or 
witness  his  unflagging  interest  in  the  church's  prosperity, 
without  being  convinced  that  he  was  still  its  friend  tried 
and  true,  nor  without  being  able  to  appreciate  what  a  pow- 
ful  leader  and  helper  he  had  been  in  his  prime  in  every 
good  word  and  work.  Owing  to  his  father's  circumstances 
he  commenced  life  for  himself,  to  use  his  own  expression, 
without  a  shilling,  and  the  decease  of  his  father  taking 
place  two  years  before  his  marriage,  he  assisted  somewhat 
his  younger  brothers  and  sisters.  At  the  same  time  his 
charges  for  medical  practice  were  extremely  low.  He  was 
wont  to  say  that  it  was  a  wonder  to  himself  that  he  came 
to  possess  so  extensively  as  he  did  the  means  to  do  good. 
But  a  kind  Providence  smiled  upon  him.  He  rose  to  an 
extensive  medical  practice,  reaching  to  a  wide  distance  in 
the  region  round  about.  He  was  for  three  years  a  repre- 


312  MEMORIALS   OF  A    CENTURY. 

sentative  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State,  and  twice 
elected  to  the  State  Senate.  He  was  also  for  many  years 
successfully  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  His  hopeful 
conversion  took  place  in  the  great  revival  in  1831,  and  he 
united  with  the  church  on  the  same  day  when  one  hundred 
and  thirty-one  were  received.  One  month  afterward  he 
was  elected  a  deacon  of  the  church,  and  continued  in  that 
office  until  his  death,  which  took  place  in  the  city  of  New 
York,  where  he  was  temporarily  residing  in  the  family  of 
his  son,  Edward  H.  Swift,  March  21,  1860,  in  the  eighty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age.  His  remains  were  brought  home, 
and  interred  by  the  side  of  those  of  his  wife,  who  had  gone 
a  few  years  before  him. 

He  married  Jennett,  daughter  of  Thomas  Henderson, 
March  28,  1802.  She  was  a  member  of  the  church,  but  the 
date  of  her  admission  has  escaped  the  records.  She  de 
ceased  Feb.  10,  1853. 

Their  children  were  Semantha,  wife  of  Hon.  Pierrepoint 
Ishain,  and  Edward  H.,  deceased.  The  following  obituary 
notice  of  Mr.  Edward  H.  Swift  appeared  in  the  "  New  York 
Independent "  at  the  time  of  his  decease  :  — 

"  Died,  at  Havana,  Cuba,  on  the  21st  of  June,  1865,  of 
yellow  fever,  Edward  H.  Swift,  formerly  of  Bennington, 
Vt.,  and  for  many  years  a  merchant  in  New  York,  in  the 
sixtieth  %year  of  his  age.  Mr.  Swift  was  a  gentleman  of 
liberal  education  and  cultivated  mind.  Amid  the  cares 
of  a  most  active  and  eventful  business  life  he  found  time  for 
various  and  extensive  reading,  and  was  singularly  well- 
informed  with  regard  to  all  the  leading  topics  of  the  day. 
More  than  thirty  years  since,  he  made  a  profession  of  re 
ligion,  and  united  with  the  church  in  Bennington,  in  con 
nection  with  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark,  and 
throughout  a  life  marked  by  no  ordinary  vicissitudes  and 
trials  maintained  a  high  character  for  integrity  and  business 


CAPT.    SAXTON  SQUIRE.  313 

capacity.  Smitten  by  a  fatal  disease,  and  dying  among 
strangers,  bis  afflicted  family  were  denied  the  consolation 
of  soothing  his  last  hours  by  the  ministries  of  affection  ;  but 
one  who  knew  his  worth,  and  admired  his  intelligent  and 
ruanly  virtues,  pens  this  brief  tribute  to  his  memory." 

II.  CAPT.  SAXTON  SQUIRE  united  with  this  church  in 
March,  1803,  born  Jan.  4,  1758,  removed  to  this  place, 
1786,  from  Kensington  (now  Southington),  Conn. ;  resided 
first  near  the  residence  of  Esquire  Hubbell,  then,  1797,  in 
the  Centre  Street,  in  the  house  which  has  for  many  years 
gone  by  his  name,  carrying  on  tanning,  shoemaking,  and 
also  fanning,  subsequently  removed  into  what  is  now  Ben- 
nington  village.  He  deceased  July  25,  1825.  His  wife, 
Sylvia,  united  with  this  church  Jan.  3,  1819,  born  August, 
1765,  died  May  13,  1832.  Their  children:  Dorcas,  born 
May,  1783;  Alson,  born  Jan.  25,  1784;  Norman,  born 
July  27,  1787  ;  Fanny,  born  Feb.  27,  1789,  united  with  the 
church  Ma}^,  1803,  married  to  Lyman  Patchin  July  22, 1810, 
died  Sept.  17,  1834,  —  a  Christian  lady  of  exemplary  piety, 
and  in  whose  heart  was  a  perennial  fountain  of  benevo 
lence.  Many  a  poor  person  found  daily  charity  at  her 
door,  and  from  thence  no  needy  one  was  ever  sent  empty 
away.  (Her  daughter,  Fanny  M.  Patchin,  remarkable  for 
the  loveliness  of  her  disposition,  united  with  this  church 
Sept.  4,  1831,  married  Samuel  S.  Scott,  deceased  May  27, 
1851.)  Buckley  Squires,  deceased,  born  May  4,  1791, — 
genial  and  generous,  an  officer  in  the  Episcopal  Church  ;  his 
funeral  discourse  was  preached  by  his  pastor,  the  Rev  Dr. 
Manser,  to  whom  he  was  greatly  endeared  for  his  warm  and 
faithful  friendship,  and  his  zeal,  tenderness,  and  efficiency 
as  a  member  of  the  church ;  Newell  Squires,  born  July  4, 
1794 ;  Albert,  born  Sept.  6,  1796,  and  Eliza,  born  July  11, 
1800. 

27 


314  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

III.  MRS.  MARY  GALUSIIA  united  with  this  church  in 
1789.  She  was  the  first  wife  of  Governor  Galusha,  and 
daughter  of  Governor  Chittenden,  married  1778,  died  1791. 
By  her,  Governor  Galusha  had  five  sons  and  four  daughters. 
Governor  Galusha  was  not  a  member  of  any  church,  though, 
"  in  the  estimation  of  those  best  competent  to  judge,  a  true 
Christian.  He  maintained  family  worship  in  all  its  forms, 
was  known  to  observe  private  devotions,  was  an  habitual 
attendant  upon  public  worship  and  at  social  meetings,  and 
frequently  took  an  active  part  in  the  latter.  In  his  daily 
life  he  was  also  such  as  a  Christian  should  be,  modest, 
amiable,  upright,  faithful  to  every  obligation.  .-.  .  When 
nearly  seventy-nine  years  of  age,  he  attended  a  protracted 
meeting  at  Manchester,  and  took  an  active  part  in  its  exer 
cises  ;  as  the  result  of  which  he  was  aroused  to  a  sense  of 
the  duty  of  making  a  public  profession  of  religion,  and 
announced  his  intention  to  do  so,  but  was  prevented  from 
accomplishing  his  purpose  by  a  stroke  of  paralysis,  which 
he  experienced  soon  after,  and  from  which  he  never 
recovered.  He  was  captain  of  two  companies,  consolidated 
into  one,  at  the  battle  of  Bennington  ;  and  was  in  the 
detachment  ordered  to  attack  Baum's  fortification  upon  the 
rear.  His  men  were  from  Shaftsbury,  where  he  resided. 
He  was  sheriff  of  the  county,  judge  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
and  was  appointed  to  other  important  offices  in  the  State  ; 
born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  Feb.  11, 1753  ;  died  Sept.  25,  1834. 
By  his  first  wife  above  mentioned  he  had  five  sons  and 
four  daughters.  His  children  were  well  trained,  and  all  of 
them  who  survived  childhood  became  professors  of  religion  ; 
one  of  them,  Elon,  an  eminent  minister  in  the  Baptist  denom 
ination.1 

,  A  fourth  wife  of  Governor  Galusha,  Nabby,  united  with 
this  church  in  1821. 

l  Memoir  of  Jonas  Galusha  by  Pliny  H.  White. 


SAMUEL   HICKS.  315 

IV.  RUFUS  BARNEY  came  from  Taun ton,  Mass.,  in  1790, 
with  Capt.  Chace  and  Mr.  Burt  and  Geo.  Godfrey,  and  their 
families,  all  from  Taunton,  Mass.     They  came  in  a  vessel 
which  they  had  chartered  up  the  Hudson  to  Troy.     At  that 
time  there  was  only  a  blacksmith  shop,  store,  and  one  house. 
Land  could  have  been  then  bought  there  as  cheaply  as  in 
Bennington.     Elkanah  Barney,  a  younger  brother  of  Rufus, 
came  from  Tauuton,    Mass.,  in  1793.     They  bought  lands 
in  the  east  part  of  the  town.     Elkanah  Barney  united  with 
the    Bennington   First   Church   Sept.  4,    1825 ;    his    wife, 
Catherine,  Aug.  6,  1820. 

V.  CAPT.  EBENEZER  CHACE  came  as  above.     His  wife 
was  sister  to  Rufus  and  Elkanah  Barney.  His  daughter,  Mrs. 
Roger  Booth,  retaining  her  faculties,  and  brightening  with 
the  most  genuine  interest  and  feeling  at  the  mention  of  the 
olden  times,   an  intelligent  lady  and  a  sincere  Christian, 
deceased  in    1868,    aged  eighty-eight.     Capt.    Chace   died 
Jan.  20,  1832,  aged  eighty-eight.     Hannah,  his  widow,  died 
Jan.  10, 1842,  aged  eighty-nine.     They  both  united  with  the 
Bennington  First  Church  May,  1803. 

They  first  lived  upon  the  hill ;  then  moved  down  where 
Bennington  village  now  is.  Capt.  Chace  bought  lands 
there.  He  cut  the  timber  for  his  house,  and  moved  into  it 
in  six  weeks. 

VI.  SAMUEL  HICKS  and  CHARITY,  his  wife,  united  with 
this  church  Sept.  26,  1790,  during  the  pastorate  of  the  Rev. 
Job  Swift,  D.D.     His  father   was  killed  in  the  battle  of 
Lexington.     The  family  were  sent  with  other  families  to 
Taunton,  for  safet}r. 

CHARLES  HICKS,  son  of  Samuel  Hicks,  with  his  sons, 
drove  the  first  stages  over  the  mountain,  on  the  route 
between  here  and  Boston,  and  also  southward  in  the  direc- 


316  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

tion  of  Pittsfield.  His  son,  James  Hicks,  clroye  the  first 
stage  to  Brattleborough  about  fifty  years  ago.  The  father 
drove  a  stage  to  Pittsfield  many  years  before.  He  was  the 
father  of  Hon.  Charles  Hicks  and  Uel  M.  Hicks,  and  "Wil 
liam,  deceased  1832,  at  twenty-five  years  of  age,  who  grad 
uated  at  Williams  College  with  the  appointment  of  vale 
dictorian.'  Frederick,  son  of  Uel  M.  Hicks,  is  a  minister 
of  the  gospel. 

George,  also  a  son  of  Uel  M.  Hicks,  born  Oct.  3,  1840, 
united  with  this  church  May  6,  1855.  entered  Williams 
College  1862  ;  was  a  lieutenant  of  Vermont  volunteers  in 
the  late  war,  and  was  killed  before  Petersburg  July  30, 
1864.  He  was  with  a  detachment  which,  after  the  explosion 
of  the  mine,  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  pass  beyond 
it  within  the  enemy's  line  and  capture  the  crest  of  Ceme 
tery  Hill.  For  gallant  services,  a  commission  of  brevet 
captaincy  was,  by  a  vote  of  Congress,  made  out  for  him  and 
sent  to  his  parents.  He  wras  also  in  the  battle  of  Gettys 
burg]!.  He  was  possessed  of  devoted  piety,  brave,  noble, 
and  good. 

VII.  MRS.  POLLY  ROACH  united  with  the  church  in  1790. 
She  was  the  mother  of  Mrs.  Fanny  Raymond.  An  only 
daughter  of  Mrs.  Raymond,  Mrs.  Seth  B.  Hunt,  deceased 
in  Feb.,  1867.  Mrs.  Hunt  united  with  this  church  Jan.  5, 
1834,  and  at  the  time  of  her  decease  was  a  member  of  the 
Tabernacle  Congregational  Church,  Rev.  J.  P.  Thompson, 
D.D.,  New  York  city.  Devoted  as  a  daughter,  sister,  wife, 
mother,  she  was  polite  and  attentive  to  her  guests  and  ac 
quaintances.  Blessed  with  wealth,  she  dispensed  her  ben 
efactions  to  the  poor  with  a  liberal  hand,  having  car-loads 
of  the  produce  of  the  Bennington  farm  at  "Maple  Grove" 
shipped  to  New  York,  to  be  there,  by  herself  and  family, 
distributed  to  the  needy. 


COL.    ORSAMUS    C.    MERRILL.  317 

VIII.  DR.  MICAII  J.  LYMAN  came  here  from  Troy,  N.Y., 
in  1700.  He  was  graduated  at  Yale  College  in  1785.  He  was 
postmaster  here  for   several  years  —  0.  C.  Merrill,  Esq., 
being  his  successor.     He  was  in  business  here  as  a  druggist. 
He  left  here  for  Montreal  about  1810  ;  and  removed  thence 
to  Troy,  N.Y.,  on  the  declaration  of  war,  and  established  him 
self  in  his  business  in  Troy,  taking  his  two  eldest  sons, 
Charles  and  George,  as  partners  with  him.     "  A  family  of 
great  worth  and  excellent  standing  "x  originally  from  North 
ampton,  Mass.     He  came   here  to   pass  the   remainder  of 
life  in  1851,  but  united  with  this  church  in  1843,  while 
residing  in  Troy,  because  he  was  a  Congregationalist,  as  a 
matter  of  principle,  and  so  much  so  as  to  prefer  to  connect 
himself  with  that  denomination  in  another  town  rather  than 
with  any  other  denomination  where  he  was  residing.     His 
wrife  was  Elizabeth  Sheldon,  a  descendant  on  her  mother's 
side  of  Ebenezer  Hunt,  one  of  the  Northampton  families  of 
that  name. 

Charles  Lyman,  his  son,  married  Elizabeth  Sheldon,  who 
after  his  decease  became  the  second  wife  of  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Hooker.  George,  his  second  son,  is  a  deacon  in  this  church. 

IX.  COL.  ORSAMUS  C.  MERRILL  was  born  in  Farmington, 
Conn.,  June  18,  1775.     He  came  to  Bennington,  April  5, 
1701  ;  at  sixteen  years  of  age  was  apprenticed  to  Anthony 
Haswell,  and  learned  the  printer's  trade.    The  first  business 
he  did  for  himself  was  to  print  an  edition  of  Webster's 
spelling-book.     The  printing-press  was  in  the  kitchen  part 
of  the  house,  the  residence  of  the  late  Gov.  John  S.  Rob 
inson.     Mr.  Merrill  then  studied  law  with  Andrew  Selden, 
Esq.,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1805,  and,  in  August 
of  that  3'ear,  was  married  to  Mary,  daughter  of  Judge  Jon 
athan  Robinson.     In  1809  he  was  postmaster  in  this  town, 

1  Genealogy  of  the  Hunt  Family,  p.  225. 
27* 


318  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  held  the  office  about  three  years.  He  was  a  major  of 
the  army  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  afterward  a  lieutenant- 
colonel.  He  was  a  member  of  Congress  1817-1819,  and 
afterward  a  member  of  the  State  Council  for  five  years  ;  also 
a  representative  to  the  Assembly  and  judge  of  probate. 
He  was  for  several  years,  between  1826-1832,  editor  of  the 
"  Vermont  Gazette."  He  made  a  public  profession  of  his 
faith  in  Christ  and  united  with  this  church  September  4, 
1831. 

He  was  remarkable  for  great  purity,  elevation,  and 
urbanity  of  character. 

He  was  frequently  the  speaker  of  the  day  on  public  occa 
sions.  One  of  his  orations  of  this  kind,  printed  by  request, 
with  other  literary  exercises  of  the  occasion,  has  fallen  into 
the  hands  of  the  writer  of  this  notice.  He  felt  a  deep  in 
terest  and  exerted  himself  much  on  behalf  of  common 
schools.  His  interested  and  careful  labors  as  a  Bible-class 
teacher  also  deserve  mention. 

His  belief  of  the  doctine  of  justification  by  faith  in  Christ 
alone  was  scriptural  and  decided,  and  his  Christian  example 
characteristically  conscientious  and  circumspect.  He  de 
ceased  April  12,  1865,  in  the  ninetieth  year  of  his  age. 

X.  DR.  HEMAN  SWIFT  was  born  in  Bennington,  Septem 
ber  30,  1791.  He  was  the  sixth  son  and  twelfth  child  of 
Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.D.,  and  Mary  Ann  Sedgwick.  He  was 
hopefully  converted  while  a  student  at  Middlebury  College, 
which  he  entered  at  fourteen  years  of  age,  and  united  with 
the  church  there,  graduating  in  1811.  He  commenced  the 
study  of  theology  in  the  Theological  Seminary  at  Andover  ; 
but  his  health  failing,  he  was  obliged  to  relinquish  his  pur 
pose,  and  then  chose  the  profession  of  medicine.  He  set 
tled  as  a  plrysiciau  in  this  town  in  1821,  and  connected 
himself  with  this  church  November  5,  1820.  He  deceased 


DE.    NEMAN  SWIFT.  '319 

January  30,  1856,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  He 
was  a  member  of  the  Vermont  Senate  in  1837.  His  mind 
was  cultured  by  education,  and  stored  with  theological 
and  Christian  truth,  and  with  general  scientific  information. 
He  was  especially  accurate  and  well  versed  in  history,  and 
he  had  extensive  acquaintance  with  public  men.  He  was 
a  warm  and  valued  friend  of  ministers,  and  for  years  con 
ducted  a  large  Bible-class  with  great  interest  and  success. 
His  forgetfulness  of  himself  in  his  desire  to  promote  the  hap 
piness  of  others,  and  his  extended  and  varied  information, 
made  him  ever  an  agreeable  and  instructive  companion.  He 
sustained  his  high  professional  reputation  and  was  in  active 
practice  until  his  death.  Acute  sensibility  and  tender  sym 
pathy  with  the  sick  and  suffering  were  remarkable  traits  in 
his  character,  and,  in  connection  with  his  medical  intelli 
gence  and  untiring  professional  exertions,  served  much  to 
establish  that  ardent  attachment  which  existed  between 
himself  and  those  who  empk^ed  him  as  a  plrysician. 

His  decease  was  most  sudden.  He  had  just  left  the 
family  and  passed  into  another  room,  with  the  view  of 
going  oat  again  to  meet  professional  engagements.  Some 
member  of  the  family,  having  occasion  to  go  through  the 
same  room  a  few  minutes  subsequently,  found  him  sitting 
back  in  a  chair  dead.  His  prayer  that  morning,  at  family 
worship,  had  been  particularly  noticed  for  an  unusual  ten 
derness  and  fervency  of  his  looking  to  Christ,  supplicat 
ing  for  grace  to  cling  to  the  Saviour  as  his  only  hope.  He 
married  Ruth  Robinson,  grand-daughter,  on  her  father's 
side,  of  Governor  Moses  Robinson,  and,  on  the  side  of  her 
mother,  of  Rev.  Jedidiah  Dewey.  The  last  few  years  of 
his  life  were  attended  by  a  heavy  affliction  in  the  decease 
of  a  daughter,  the  light  and  the  joy  of  his  house,  —  Jen- 
nett,  wife  of  Hon.  A.  B.  Gardner  ;  and  of  a  son,  Dr.  Heman 
Sedgewick  Swift,  of  whom  the  following  biograpical  sketch 


320    '  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

is  contained  in  the  "Vermont  Historical  Magazine"  :  "Dr. 
H.  Sedgewick  Swift  was  born  June  16, 1827.  He  was  grad 
uated  at  Williams  College,  and,  after  receiving  a  thorough 
education  as  a  physician  and  surgeon,  acquired  great  prac 
tical  knowledge  and  skill  in  the  hospitals  of  New  York  and 
other  cities.  He  was  author  of  several  treatises,  which 
were  published  in  the  medical  journals,  some  of  which 
were  translated  into  German  and  French,  and  by  which  he 
acquired  much  credit  and  distinction.  He  was  a  young 
man  of  great  moral  worth  as  well  as  of  extraordinary  pro 
fessional  promise  ;  but  died  of  a  disease  of  the  lungs,  Sep 
tember  23,  1857,  at  the  early  age  of  thirty  years."  Re 
served  and  self-distrustful  with  regard  to  religious  hopes, 
he  left  in  a  private  journal  evidence  that,  in  view  of  the 
approach  of  death,  his  trust  for  salvation  was  alone  in 
Christ. 

Henry  Mart}7!!,  a  son  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Swift,  is  a  min 
ister  of  the  gospel. 

XL  SAMUEL  BROWN  came  here  to  reside  about  the  year 
1794,  with  his  wife  and  family,  and  the  parents  of  his  wife. 
She  was  Betsey,  only  child  of  Capt.  Daniel  and  Annis  H  to 
man.  They  came  here  from  Charlotte,  in  this  State,  whither 
they  had  removed  from  South  Britain,  Conn.  They  pur 
chased  and  resided  on  the  farm  now  the  residence  of  Mr. 
Paige,  in  the  south  part  of  the  town.  Capt.  Daniel  Hin- 
man  was  a  relative  of  Col.  John  Hinman,  of  Utica,  Hon. 
R.  R.  Hinman,  for  several  years  Secretary  of  State  in  Conn., 
and  of  Gen.  Hinman,  Roxbury,  Conn.  He  died  here  Dec. 
8,  1807,  aged  fifty-five.  Mrs.  Hinman  died  Nov.  24,  1815, 
aged  sixty-three.  Samuel  Brown  died  April  21,  1819,  aged 
fifty-four.  Mrs.  Brown  died  May  8,  1811,  aged  thirty-six. 
They  had  two  daughters  who  deceased  in  early  life.  Hon. 
S.  H.  Brown  is  the  only  surviving  child. 


JONATHAN  HUNT.  321 

XII.  ROGER  BOOTH  came  in  1 795  from  Lanesboro',  Mass. 
He  married  a  daughter  of  Capt.  Ebenezer  Chace,  mentioned 
above,  and  resided  on  the  place  where  is  the  present  resi 
dence  of  Edward  S.  Pratt.      He  deceased  Aug.  2,  1849, 
aged  seventy-six.     He  was  the  father  of  Asahel  Booth. 

XIII.  JESSE  LOOMIS  settled  upon  a  farm  in  Bennington 
•some  time  previously  to  1795.     His  name  is  upon  the  town 
records  as  surveyor  of  highways  in  that  year.    He  died  Sept. 
13,  1839,  aged  eighty-five  years  and  ten  months.     His  chil 
dren  were  Samuel,  Ira,  Lydia,  Betsey,  Clarissa,  Jesse,  Sally, 
and  Emma.     One  of  the  above-named  daughters  married 
Hon.  Luman  Norton ;  another  married  Mr.  H.  E.  Dewey. 
Samuel  was  the  father  of  Mrs.  J.  F.  Robinson  and  Mrs. 
Caldwell,  deceased. 

XIV.  CAPT.  JOHN  NORTON  came  from  Sharon,  Conn.,  and 
settled  in  Bennington  about  the  same  time  with  Mr.  Loomis. 
He  established  himself  here  in  the  manufacturing  of  pottery 
ware.    He  died  Aug.  22,  1828,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his 
age.  He  was  the  father  of  Hon.  Luman  Norton,  and  grand 
father  of  Mr.  Julius  Norton. 

XV.  JONATHAN  HUNT  came  to  Bennington  about  the 
year  1795.     He  was  connected  with  a  furnace  a  part  of  the 
time,  and  more  permanently  in  business  as  a  jeweller.    For 
the  latter  years  of  his  life  he  resided  where  is  now  the 
country  residence  and  grounds  of  his  son,  Seth  B.  Hunt. 

He  sang  in  the  choir  for  forty  years,  commencing  at  eight 
years  old.  For  many  years  he  was  leader  of  the  bass  in  the 
Bennington  church  choir.  He  used  to  say,  "  When  any  per 
sons  expect  to  get  better  tunes  than  '  Old  Hundredth,'  or 
better  h3rmns  than  those  of  Dr.  Watts,  they  must  go  further 
than  any  whom  I  know  of  have  gone  yet."  Isaac  T.  Rob- 


322  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

inson,  a  leading  singer  in  the  choir  who  stood  near  him, 
related  the  following  reminiscence  to  the  writer  :  "  We 
sometimes  discussed  the  comparative  merits  of  old  and  new 
church  tunes.  Mr.  Hunt  strenuously  advocated  the  old,  I 
the  new  ;  but  I  now  think  he  was  right." 

He  married  Miss  Naomi  Bliss,  of  Springfield,  Mass.  She 
deceased  July  24,  1837.  She  was  a  faithful  Christian.  The 
Rev.  Dr.  Peters  relates  that,  when  pastor  here,  lie  always 
believed  that  his  preaching  benefited  Mrs.  Hunt  and  was 
appreciated  by  her,  and  he  felt  supported  by  her  interest  in 
his  ministiy,  and  her  prayers.  She  used  to  say,  "It  is  as 
much  a  duty  to  be  cheerful  as  to  go  to  meeting.  She  ab 
horred  selfishness,  and  assiduously  trained  her  children  to 
habits  of  benevolence.  She  was  accustomed  to  quote  a 
remark  of  Mr.  Haines,  the  colored  preacher  :  "  Selfishness 
spoils  all  that  we  do."  Their  children  who  grew  up  to  adult 
years  have  become  members  of  some  Christian  church. 

Ruth  Hunt,  their  daughter,  united  with  this  church  March 
4,  1827,  deceased  Sept.  29,  1867,  aged  sixty-one.  In  her 
last  years,  afflicted  with  difficulty  of  seeing,  and  at  length, 
owing  to  paralysis,  with  almost  total  deafness,  and  help 
lessness  otherwise,  but  tenderly  cared  for  by  a  brother's 
and  a  sister's  affection,  she  ever  expressed  to  the  writer  of 
this  notice  much  gratitude  toward  them  and  to  her  heavenly 
Father. 

Mr.  Hunt  was  one  of  six  of  the  same  Christian  name  in 
direct  succession,  being  himself  the  fifth.  The  first  Jona 
than  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1637,  married  in  Hart 
ford,  Conn.,  Sept.  3,  1662,  and  died  in  Northampton,  Mass., 
1691  ;  the  second  in  the  direct  succession,  Lieut.  Jonathan, 
was  born  in  Northampton  June  20,  1665,  and  died  there 
July  1,  1738  ;  the  third  Jonathan  was  born  April  24,  1697, 
married  Thankful  Strong,  and  died  in  Northampton  April 
22,  1768  ;  the  fourth  married  Sarah  Parsons,  and  died  in 


ANDREW  SELDEN,    ESQ.  323 

Northampton  in  1791  ;  the  fifth,  our  Mr.  Hunt,  died  in  Ben- 
nington  in  1843  ;  the  sixth  Jonathan  Hunt,  of  San  Fran 
cisco,  is  still  living.  A  Jonathan  Hunt,  descended  from  the 
first  Northampton  ancestor,  cleared  land  in  Guilford,  Vt.,  in 
1758,  was  much  in  public  life,  and  in  1794  and  1795  was 
elected  lieutenant-governor  of  this  State.  His  son,  Hon. 
Jonathan  Hunt,  of  Brattleborough,  was  member  of  Con 
gress,  1827-32.  A  brother  of  Lieut.-Gov.  Hunt,  Gen.  Arad 
Hunt,  gave  five  thousand  acres  of  land  to  Middlebury  Col 
lege.1 

Mrs.  or  Miss  Thankful  Hunt  was  in  Bennington  in  the 
days  of  the  first  meeting-house,  and  taught  school  in  the 
second  story  of  the  porch.  She  was  from  Northampton, 
and  afterward  became  the  second  wife  of  Elisha  Lyman,  of 
Montreal. 

XVI.  ANDREW  SELDEN,  Esq.,  "  was  born  at  Hadley, 
Mass.  When  young  he  removed,  with  his  father,  to  Stam 
ford  ;  represented  that  town  in  the  General  Assembly  for 
six  successive  years  from  1790  ;  came  to  Bennington  about 
1797;  studied  law  with  Hon.  Jonathan  Robinson;  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  December,  1809  ;  was  register  of 
probate  several  }-ears,  and  died  September,  1828,  aged  sixty- 
three."  '  He  wrote  verses.  An  ode  is  in  print  in  connec 
tion  with  an  oration  of  Hon.  O.  C.  Merrill,  delivered  here 
on  a  celebration  of  the  16th  August.  It  is  said  he  com 
posed  one  of  the  odes  sung  at  the  dedication  of  the  present 
meeting-house,  and  printed  with  the  discourse.  Alonzo 
Selden,  of  Whitehall,  and  Mrs.  Angeline  Selden  are  chil 
dren  of  his,  and  Marcius  G.  Selden,  a  member  of  the  Meth 
odist  Church  in  Bennington  village,  is  a  grandson. 

1  See  Genealogy  of  the  Name  and  Family  of  Hunt,  pp.  180,  182,  183,  189.    This 
genealogical  record  exhibits  pedigrees  of  individuals  of  this  name  in  America  to 
the  number  of  ten  thousand. 

2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


324  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

Clarissa  Griswold,  who  united  with  this  church  May, 
1803,  was  the  first  wife  of  Marcius  L.  Selden,  and  mother 
of  Marcius  G.  Selden.  Minerva  Griswold,  who  united  with 
this  church  November  5,  1820,  was  the  second  wife  of  Mar 
cius  L.  Selden,  and  mother  of  Capt.  Henry  and  Lieut.  Ed 
ward  A.  Selden.  Mrs.  Alice  Griswold,  who  united  with 
this  church  September,  1784,  was  the  mother  of  the  first 
and  second  Mrs.  Marcius  L.  Selden. 

Betsey  £.,  first  wife  of  Alonzo  Selden,  in  Whitehall, 
united  with  the  church  November  5,  1820.  Charity  Selden , 
wife  of  Andrew  Selden,  Esq.,  united  with  the  church  Sep 
tember  4,  1825.  Lieut.  Edward  A.  Selden  united  with  the 
church  July  4,  1858,  was  in  Company  A,  fourth  Vermont, 
in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  in  its  seven  days'  retreat  be 
fore  Richmond,  and  died  soon  after,  and  was  buried  in  the 
church-yard  of  Westover  church,  near  Harrison's  Landing, 
Va.,  warmly  cherished  in  the  memory  of  his  relatives  and 
friends.  Capt.  Henry  Selden,  deceased,  married  Miss 
Manning,  grand-daughter  of  Jonathan  E.  Robinson,  Esq. 

ALMIRA  SELDEN  was  a  native  of  Bennington.  She  united 
with  this  church  November  5,  1820  ;  was  married  to  Mr. 
Edgerton,  and  died  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.  She  published,  in 
1820,  a  16mo  volume  of  152  pages,  entitled  "Effusions  of 
the  Heart,  contained  in  a  Number  of  Original  Poetical 
Pieces  on  Various  Subjects."  She  penned  the  following 
stanzas  on  the  Bennington  battle  : 1  — 

"  No  Lethean  draught  can  ever  drowu 

The  memory  of  that  day  of  fear, 
When  the  wild  echo  of  farewell 

From  parent,  husband,  child,  and  wife, 
Seemed  sadder  than  the  funeral  knell 

That  tells  the  certain  flight  of  life ; 
Yet  Freedom  spake,  Faith  raised  her  rampart  pure, 

And  holy  confidence  gave  victory  sure. 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


AN  ODE.  ,  325 

'  Then  firmer  than  the  native  pine 

That  tops  thy  mountains  ever  green, 
Led  by  Almighty  smiles  divine, 

Facing  their  foes  thy  sous  were  seen,  — 
As  when  the  livid  lightning  keen 

Tears  from  the  pine  some  stem  away, 
Yet  still  unmoved  the  trunk  is  seen : 

Thus  Stark  stood  victor  of  the  day, 
And  while  the  voice  of  triumph  met  his  ear, 

He  for  the  dying  foe  shed  pity's  tear." 
28 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

PERSONAL    NOTICES. 
1803  AND  AFTERWARD. 


,_,EACON  JOTHAM  FRENCH  came  from  the  vicinity  of 
Boston.     He  was  a  shoemaker.     Before  his  conver 


sion  he  was  a  deist.  He  was  hopefully  converted, 
and  united  with  this  church  July  1,  1811,  under  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh.  In  subsequent 
years,  being  inquired  of  by  Mr.  Peters  (Mr.  Marsh's 
successor  in  the  ministry  here)  about  the  cause  of  his  con 
version,  he  replied,  "  The  goodness  of  God  leadeth  to 
repentance."  His  wife  had  been  dangerously  ill  and  recov 
ered.  He  afterward  learned  that  Deacon  Bingham,  who 
lived  not  far  from  him,  had  made  her  recovery  a  subject  of 
special  prayer.  He  was  elected  deacon  April  12,  1816,  and 
continued  in  the  office  until  his  death,  April  30,  1825.  He 
resided  in  the  house  on  the  road  to  Esquire  Edgerton's, 
and  about  half  a  mile  this  side  ;  Deacon  Bingham,  about 
the  same  distance  beyond  Esquire  Edgerton's,  on  the 
same  road.  He  was  familiar  with  the  Scriptures.  He  had 
an  excellent  memory,  and  stored  his  mind  with  passages  of 
Scripture  to  support  his  deistical  principles  in  argument,  of 
which  he  was  fond.  When  converted,  his  knowledge  of  the 
Scriptures  was  employed  in  defence  of  the  faith  he  had 
before  sought  to  destroy.  He  died  a  happy  death.  Mr. 
Peters,  his  pastor,  went  to  see  him,  and,  when  returning, 


WILLIAM  PA  RK.  327 

some  one  asked  him,   "How  is  Deacon  French?"     The 
reply  was,  "  On  the  borders  of  a  better  world." 

II.  MR.  HARVEY  united  with  this  church  in  the  ministry 
of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Marsh,  1811.     There  are  three  other  indi 
viduals  of  the  name  on  the  roll  of  the  church  ;  among  these 

REV.  WILLIAM  HARVEY  united  with  this  church  in  the 
ministry  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Peters,  and  became  a  minister  of 
the  gospel  and  missionary  in  India,  where  he  fell  a  victim 
to  the  Asiatic  cholera  a  few  years  afterward. 

III.  DANIEL  NICHOLS* united  with  the  church  in  1803. 
There  are  twelve  individuals  of  this  name  on  the  church- 
roll,  six  of  whom  united  with  the  church  the  same  year, 
1811,  ministry  of  Mr.  Marsh ;   James,   James  B.,   Electa, 
Sophia,  died  May,  1824  (wife  of  S.  Hathaway,  Jr.),  Rachel, 
Fanny,  died  Dec.  23,  1862,  a  warm-hearted  Christian,  and 
faithfully  attached  to  the  old  church. 

IV.  PARK.  —  Betsey  Park,  Mrs.  Wilson,  sister  of  Wil 
liam  Park,  united  with  the  church  in  1803.     Sophia,  another 
sister,  Mrs.  Capt.  David  Lyman,  an  earnest  and  exemplary 
Christian  lady,   mother  of  A.  P.  Lyman,  Esq.,  and  Mrs. 
Col.  White,  united  with  the  church  in  1817. 

WILLIAM  PARK  united  with  this  church  Nov.  3,  1833,  born 
Jan.  15,  1782,  deceased  April  18,  1867,  in  the  eighty-sixth 
year  of  her  age.  He  was  a  remarkable  man.  He  possessed 
much  intelligence,  was  thoroughly  hospitable,  and  of  sin 
gular  honesty,  sincerity,  and  firmness  of  principle  ;  he  was 
an  early  and  life-long  friend  of  the  temperance  and  anti- 
slavery  reformations,  and  a  humble  and  devout  Christian. 
The  community  in  which  he  lived  on  Woodford  hill  felt 
in  his  influence  the  power  of  a  daily  life  of  godliness. 


328  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY f 

Several  suggestive  and  valuable  reminiscences  of  the  early 
history  of  this  town  and  church  were  received  from  him  by 
the  writer  of  these  pages.  He  was  a  warm  personal  friend 
and  great  admirer  of  the  Rev.  Daniel  A.  Clark.  His  wife, 
Sarah,  united  "with  this  church  Sept.  2,  1827,  and  deceased 
July,  1854  ;  esteemed  and  beloved  by  all. 

Cynthia,  Mrs.  Luther  Park,  united  with  this  church 
Jan.  6, 1833,  —  early  in  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Dr.  Hooker, 
and  their  children  were  baptized  by  him.  A  son,  Austin 
Park,  is  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  (She  removed  her  connec 
tion  to  the  Second  Congregational  Church.)  The  Hon.  T. 
W.  Park  is  a  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs*  Luther  Park. 

V.  THAYER.  —  Betsey   and  Nancy  Thayer   united   with 
the  church  in  March,  180^  ;    and  Clarissa  in  July  of  the 
same  year ;  Ruby  Thayer,  Mrs.  Lawrence,  in   1812;  died 
Oct.  10,  1836.     There  are  seven  individuals  of  this  name 
on  the  roll  of  the  church.     The  Rev.    Nelson   Davis,  of 
Lisbon,  Conn.,  who  preached  here  with  others  temporarily  in 
the  revival  in  1803,  was  a  relative  of  the  Thayer  family,  and 
our  townsman,  Mr.  Nelson  Thayer,  was  named  for  him. 

VI.  JACOB  POOL  and  his  wife,  Zeruah,  united  with  this 
church  March  4,  1821.     He  was  born  in  Abington  Feb.  2, 
1767  ;  he  removed  to  this  town  Dec.,  1805,  and  deceased 
April  1,  1864,  at  nearly  ninety-seven  years  of  age.     The 
average  age  of  his  father  and  two  brothers,  at  their  deaths, 
was  ninety-five.     He  was  superintendent  of  the  Sabbath 
school  for  a  time  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Peters,   and 
also  that  of  Mr.  Clark.     He  was  possessed  of  a  sound  and 
clear  intellect,    and   deeply    attached   to  the  Hopkins! an 
scheme  of  divinity.     He  had  great  muscular  strength  and 
agility,  and  in  wrestling  was  a  match   for  all  competitors. 
He  conducted  family  worship  until  a  year  and  a  half  before 
his  decease. 


LYMAX  PATCH  IN.  329 

VII.  CHARLES  WRIGHT,  Esq.,  son  of  Solomon  Wright,  of 
Pownal,    was  born  in  1786,  graduated  at  Williams  College, 
studied  law  with  Chancey  Langdon,  of  Castleton,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  of  Rutland  County  in  1807.     He  soon 
after  commenced  the  business  of  his  profession  in  Benning- 
ton,  in  which  he  continued  until  his  decease,  Feb.  15,  1819. 
At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  the  largest  and  most  lucra 
tive  practice  of  an}'  lawyer  in  the  county,  and  sustained  a 
high  reputation  for  professional  talent  and  integrity.1     He 
married  Eunice   Robinson,  daughter   of  Col.  Moses,  and 
grand-daughter  of  Gov.  Moses  Robinson,  and  daughter  of 
Ruth,  and  grand-daughter  of  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey. 

VIII.  LYMAN  PATCHIN  was  born  in  the  town  of  Half- 
Moon,   Saratoga  Co.,  N.  Y.     He  came  to  Bennington  in 
March,  1809,  and  entered  into  partnership  with  Mr.  Vibard, 
under  the  firm  name  of  Otis  Vibard  &  Co.     In  the  spring  of 
1812  he   purchased  the  house   and  store  belonging  to  the 
estate  of  Charles  Nairne  in  Bennington  Centre,  one  door 
south  of  the  old  court-house.     He  was  a  merchant  in  the 
same  place  fort}^  years,  and  accumulated  in  his  business  for 
the   times  a  large  property.     He  possessed  a  remarkably 
firm  will,  and  was  very  energetic,  exact,  and  thorough  in 
all  business  matters.     He  came  into  the  town  with  an  empty 
purse,  and  made  his  own  way  to  fortune.     He  was  married 
July  22,  1810,  to  Fanny,  daughter  of  Capt.  Saxton  Squire. 
Lyman  and  Henry   Patcliin,  and    Mrs.  Samuel  S.  Scott, 
deceased,  are  their  children.     Mr.  Patcliin  was  afterward 
married  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Maria  Wells,  his  second  wife.     He 
deceased  Aug.  16,  1857,   in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his 
age.     He  was  regularly  in  his  place  in  the  sanctuary  on  the 
former  part  of  the  day,  and  an  attentive  listener. 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 

28* 


330  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

IX.  JOHN  VANDERSPIEGEL  was  born  in  New  York  city 
Sept.  30,  1773.     He  came  here  from  Lansingburgh  in  1810. 
He  was  married  to  Laura,  daughter  of  Deacon  Aaron  Hub- 
bell,   Aug.  6,  1815.     He  deceased  Nov.    24,  1848,  in  the 
seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age.     The  following  is  an  extract 
from  an  obituary  of  him,  published  in  the  paper  at  the  time  : 
"  Mr.  Vanderspiegel  was  a  worthy  citizen ;  respectable  as 
a  magistrate,  and  gentlemanly  in  his  deportment,  generous 
and  liberal  in  his  intercourse  with  his  neighbors,   and  kind 
and  affectionate  in  all  his  domestic  relations." 

X.  "  HON.  TRUEMAN  SQUIRE  came  to  Bennington  to  reside 
in  1810.     He  was  born  at  Woodbury,  Conn.,  in  Jan.,  1764  ; 
was  in  the  practice  of  law  at  Manchester  for  several  years 
prior  to  and  after  the  year  1800,  where  he  held  the  office  of 
State's  attorney  two  years,  judge  of  probate  three  years, 
from  1793,   and  was    also  secretary  to  the  governor  and 
council  for  several  }rears.     He  was  a  good  lawj^er  and  an 

upright  man,  and  had  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all."1 

• 

XI.  MRS.  BETSEY  (AUSTIN)  CARPENTER  united  with  the 
church  Aug.  6,  1820.     She  was  descended  from  Mr.  John 
Austin,  who  settled  in  Bennington,  it  is  believed,  some  time 
subsequently  to  the  Revolutionary  War.     Fond  of  religious 
reading,  edifying  in  conversation,  a  pattern  of  cheerfulness, 
exemplary  in  life's  various  duties,  she  was  an  ornament  to 
her  profession  as  a  disciple  of  Christ.     She  died  suddenly 
Aug.  23,  1862. 

XII.  ROBERT  CROSSETT  united  with  this  church  Nov.  5, 
1820.     Isaac    Crossett  became   a   member  of  this  church 
March  4,  1827,  and  was  subsequently  a  deacon  in  the  Sec 
ond  Congregational  Church  in  this  town.    He  has  since  de- 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


MKS.    SUSANNAH    WATSON.  331 

ceased.  He  was  much  respected  for  his  amiable  virtues 
and  his  consistency  as  a  Christian  and  an  officer  in  the 
church.  There  are  five  individuals  of  the  name  on  the  roll 
of  the  Bennington  First  Church. 

XIII.  LEWIS  CHANDLER  and  his  wife  united  with  this 
church  March  7,  1824.     He  was  the  father  of  Dea.  Samuel 
Chandler.      They  removed  here  from  Bernardston,  Mass. 
He  died  here  at  eighty-six  years  of  age.    For  months  before 
his   decease,  though   natural!}7  a    strong-rminded   man,  He 
ceased  to  recognize  his  neighbors   and  to  take  any  con 
nected  interest  in  worldly  affairs,  but  his  mind  was  bright 
and  steadfast  with  regard  to  his  Christian  hope.     He  had 
desired  such  a  trust  in  Christ  as  would  enable  him  to  feel 
the  assurance  that  all  his  sins  were  forgiven.     This  trust 
was  vouchsafed  to  him,  and  he  would  frequently  ejaculate, 
"  Blessed  Jesus  ! "   He  had  remarkable  views  of  his  Saviour 
and  of  heaven. 

XIV,  MKS.  SUSANNAH  WATSON  united  with  this  church 
Nov.  6.  1831.    She  deceased  Sept.  15,  1862,  quite  advanced 
in  years,  having  lived  a  life  of  remarkable  cheerfulness  and 
benevolence  of  spirit.     She  came  to  North  Bennington  to 
reside  many  years  ago,  and  reared  a  large  family  of  sons 
and  daughters,  who  became  Christian  men  and  women. 

Miss  Nancy  Watson,  her  daughter,  resided  with  her 
mother  in  North  Benniugton,  united  with  this  church  by 
letter,  and  deceased  April  25,  1861.  She  was  marked  by 
enthusiasm  and  intelligence  as  a  disciple  of  Christ  and  mem 
ber  of  his  church.  She  was  much  valued  by  her  ministers 
and  others  as  an  efficient  helper  in  every  good  work. 

Mrs.  Betsey  Watson,  wife  of  Dea.  Watson,  of  the  North 
Bennington  Baptist  Church,  and  daughter  of  Dea.  Calvin 
Bingham,  united  with  this  church  May  6,  1827,  deceased 


332  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

July  13,  1860  ;  ever  deeply  interested  in  religion,  and  its 
institution  and  progress  in  the  world. 

XV.  DR.  WILLIAM  BIGELOW  was  born  in  Middletown, 
Vt.,  Nov.  7,  1791,  and  married  to  Miss  Dorinda  Brewster, 
of  the  same  place,  Oct.  9,  1815.  He  was  hopefully  con 
verted  to  God  in  the  summer  of  1816.  About  this  time  he 
went  to  reside  in  Fairhaven,  in  this  State,  as  a  practising 
physician,  and  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  1817,  with  seventy 
or  eight}7"  others,  he  united  with  the  church,  and  afterward 
was  elected  deacon  there.  He  removed  to  Bennington  in 
November,  1829.  Though  coming  into  a  community  of 
high  social  position,  and  where  eminent  physicians  were 
already  established,  he  at  once  took  his  place  with  the  fore 
most  in  his  profession,  and  ever  maintained  it. 

On  one  occasion  his  fellow-citizens  of  this  district  elected 
him  Jo  represent  them  in  the  Senate  of  this  State.  His 
social  powers,  his  observations  upon  men  and  events,  his 
interest  in  public  affairs  and  the  prosperity  of  the  commu 
nity,  his  genial  and  generous  nature,  were  alike  remarkable. 
Owing  to  ill  health  he  was  not  exempt  from  depression  of 
spirits,  but  he  learned  the  art  of  forgetting  himself  and  so 
conversing  as  to  cheer  others.  Those  who  prized  him  as  a 
physician,  or  in  any  relation  as  a  personal  friend,  did  so 
with  no  common  attachment. 

He  was  an  impressive  speaker.  Gracefulness  of  mind 
and  person  contributed  to  this.  His  manner  was  dignified, 
and  his  feeling  genuine.  This  talent  he  frequently  exer 
cised  in  gatherings  of  his  fellow-citizens,  but  more  con 
stantly  in  the  prayer  and  conference  meeting.  He  regarded 
the  duty  as  sacred.  To  some  it  might  have  appeared  un 
studied  with  him,  as  he  seldom  suffered  an  occasion  for  the 
performance  of  it  to  pass  unimproved  ;  but  his  remarks  were 
not  unpremeditated,  and  were  often  prepared  with  much 


DR.    BIGELOW.  333 

deliberation  and  care.  In  no  place  was  his  influence  more 
happy  than  in  business  meetings  of  the  church.  There  often 
occur  in  such  meetings  critical  differences  of  opinion,  or  hesi 
tancy  on  the  part  of  brethren  to  act.  At  such  times  his 
counsels  ever  helped  the  good  cause  to  move  forward.  He 
was  on  two  or  more  occasions  elected  superintendent  of  the 
Sabbath  school.  He  was  one  of  the  committee  on  the  last 
revision  of  the  articles  of  faith  and  covenant  of  this  church. 

When  he  first  came  to  Bennington  the  great  competition 
between  the  "Old  Line"  and  the  "  Pioneer,"  as  the  two 
rival  academies  were  termed,  was  at  its  height.  It  became 
necessary  for  his  children,  if  they  should  go  to  the  "  Pio 
neer"  academy,  to  pass  by  the  "Old  Line"  institution, 
which  was  a  thing  then  not  pleasant  to  do.  His  children 
anxiously  inquired  of  him  to  which  of  the  schools  he  would 
send  them.  He  replied,  "  It  is  not  necessary  for  you  to 
know  until  the  time  comes."  When  the  time  came  he  sent 
one  to  the  u  Old  Line"  and  one  to  the  "  Pioneer." 

At  the  same  time  there  was  a  certain  authority  in  what 
ever  he  said  or  did.  He  would  never  allow  any  one  to 
speak  disrespectfully  of  religion  in  his  presence.  Physi 
cians  whom  he  very  much  respected  for  their  talents  and 
professioucil  acquirements,  but  who  were  irreligious,  would 
sometimes  let  drop  some  irreverent  expression ;  he  never 
allowed  such  freedom  to  pass  unrebuked,  but  would  so  reply 
that  probably  the  person  offending  in  that  way  would  not 
repeat  the  offence. 

When  the  Rev.  Mr.  Foot  preached  his  revival  sermons  in 
Bennington,  and  took  extreme  ground  in  favor  of  human 
activity  in  conversion,  Dr.  Bigelow  remarked,  "  He  leaves 
nothing  for  me  to  pray  for." 

On  Oct.  5,  1858,  owing  to  ill-health,  which  obliged  him 
to  relinquish  active  professional  duties,  he  went  to  Spring 
field,  Mass.,  to  reside  with  his  son,  Edmund  Bigelow.  He 


334  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTUEY. 

however  continued,  so  long  as  his  strength  permitted,  to 
practise  as  consulting  physician,  and  received  marked  re 
spect  from  the  medical  profession  there.  He  continued  at 
Springfield  his  wonted  labors  as  a  member  of  the  church, 
removing  his  church-relationship  to  that  place. 

At  his  funeral  there  his  pastor,  Rev.  Mr.  Parsons,  said, 
"  As  I  look  around  upon  this  assembly,  I  see  ten  physicians, 
and  I  wish  to  say  to  them  that  Dr.  Bigelow  always  found 
time  to  attend  church,  and  also  to  attend  to  his  patients." 

He  revisited  Bennington  nearly  every  summer  after  his 
removal  from  this  town,  aud  passed  a  winter  with  his 
daughter,  Mrs.  John  Squires,  in  Troy,  N.  Y.  Upon  his  de 
cease,  according  to  his  request,  his  remains  were  brought 
and  interred  here.  He  died  in  Springfield  April  13, 1863. 

XVI.  GAY    R.    SANFORD,    and    his    wife,    HANNAH, 
daughter   of  Capt.  Brown,    of  Southbury,   Conn.,   united 
with  this  church  Nov.  6,  1831  ;    both  invalids  for  years, 
and  called  to  endure  great  bodily  suffering,  yet  unflinch 
ing   in  resolution,  proverbially  cheerful,  rejoicing   in    the 
prosperity  of  religion,  devoted  to  the  happiness  and  wel 
fare  of  their  children,  and  remembered  with  much  affection 
and  esteem  for  their  generous  hospitality  and  many  vir 
tues..  They  came  here  to  reside,  from  Harwinton,  Conn., 
in  1829.     Mr.  Sanford  was  successfully  engaged  in  mercan 
tile  pursuits  with  his  brother-in-law,  Hon.  S.  H.  Brown. 
Mr.  Sanford  deceased  Nov.  9,  1853  ;  his  wife,  Oct.  23,  1859. 

XVII.  HON.  JOHN  H.  OLIN  was  the  son  of  Hon.  Gid 
eon  Olin,  of  Shaftsbury,  and  resided  in  Shaftsbury.     He 
was  born  in  Rhode  Island,  Oct.  12,  1772,  and   came  to 
Shaftsbury,  in  his  father's  family,  in  1776,  and  died  there 
June  17,  1860.     He  was  two  years  judge  of  probate,  and 
eight,  from  1817  to  1825,  one  of  the  judges  of  the  County 


NOTE   BY   THE    WRITER.  335 

Court.  He  united  with  the  Bennington  First  Church 
March  3,  1839.  A  little  more  than  a  year  before  his  de 
cease  he  was  with  this  church  at  its  celebration  of  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and,  thinking  it  might  be  the  last  time,  as 
it  was,  he  rose  in  his  place,  and,  in  a  very  feeling  and  ap 
propriate  manner,  expressed  his  attachment  to  his  fellow- 
members  of  the  church,  and  testified  to  his  faith  and  hope 
in  Christ.  He  endeared  himself  to  others  by  the  warmth 
and  frankness  of  his  nature,  and  his  intelligent  and  genial 
conversation,  and  was  widely  respected  and  esteemed. 


In  referring  to  the  fact  of  joining  the  Bennington  First  Church, 
the  writer  finds  there  has  been  constantly  an  unconscious  use  of 
the  terms,  "  the  church,"  and  "  this  church ;  "  partly  because  he  has 
written  from  his  own  stand-point  as  pastor  of  the  church  named, 
partly  to  avoid  the  more  cumbrous  repetition  of  the  distinctive 
title,  but  chiefly  because  most  of  the  instances  adduced  date  back 
of  the  existence  of  other  churches  in  the  town; 

In  the  above  numerous  personal  notices  it  cannot  be  but  that 
mistakes  have  occurred,  which  kind  readers  will  be  most  likely 
to  notice  so  far  as  their  own  families  are  concerned ;  these  can 
readily  correct  such  mistakes  in  their  own  copies,  and  the  copies 
of  others  most  interested. 

In  bringing  the  personal  notices  to  a  conclusion,  the  writer  de 
sires  to  express  the  sincere  wish  that  it  had  been  better  done ; 
but  he  has  also  to  say  that  he  has  done  what  he  could.  This  part 
of  the  volume  has  occasioned  him  more  labor  and  anxiety  than 
any  other;  particularly  he  regrets  not  to  have  been  able  to  em 
brace  to  a  greater  extent,  in  these  sketches,  persons,  who,  since 
the  organization  of  the  other  churches  in  town,  have  deceased  in 
connection  with  those  churches  and  parishes  respectively.  This 
he  could  not  do  without  extending  this  volume  and  his  labors 
beyond  all  practicable  limits,  nor  even  then  to  any  good  purpose, 
for  want  of  suitable  information. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

EDUCATION. 

OMMON  SCHOOLS.  In  the  town  plot  granted 
by  charter  of  the  governor  and  council  of  New 
Hampshire,  Jan.  3,  1749,  one  of  the  sixty-four 
lots  was  for  schools.  On  Jan.  19,  1763,  it  was 
voted  at  a  proprietors'  meeting, 

"To  send  a  petition  to  the  General  Court  of  the  province  of 
New  Hampshire,  to  raise  a  tax  on  all  the  lands  in  Bennington, 
resident  and  non-resident,  to  build  a  meeting-house  and  a  school- 
house,  and  mills,  and  for  highways  and  a  bridge."  "  May  9, 
1763,  voted  to  raise  six  dollars  on  each  right  of  land  in  said  Ben 
nington  for  building  a  meeting-house  and  school-house." 

The  first  district  school-house  stood  about  four  rods  west 
of  the  present  residence  of  Mrs.  S.  H.  Blackmer.  Mr. 
Bancroft,  referring  to  a  period  of  time  as  early  as  1765, 
states  that  the  inhabitants  of  Bennington,  at  that  time, 
had  provided  "  three  several  public  schools."  1 

"  As  the  settlements  extended,  new  schools  were  opened, 
and  they  have  been  ever  since  kept  in  all  parts  of  the 
town,  so  that  a  convenient  opportunity  has  at  all  times 
been  afforded  to  all  the  children  and  youth  within  its  lim 
its  to  obtain  instruction  in  the  common  English  branches 
of  education."  2 

The  earliest,  as  well  as  all  the  records,  both  of  the  town 
and  the  church,  are  remarkably  free  from  those  monstrosi- 

1  Vol.  v.,  p.  291.  2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


EDUCATION  IN   THE    STATE.  337 

ties  in  spelling  and  grammar  which  are  so  apt  to  charac 
terize  the  antiquarian  documents  of  town  and  church 
histories. 

II.  EDUCATION  IN  THE  STATE.  —  As  it  may  be  assumed 
that  the  Bennington  early  settlers,  being  also  pioneers  in 
Vermont,  ma}'-  have  had  some  influence  on  the  character  of 
tfce  educational  institutions  of  the  State  at  large,  it  may 
not  be  irrelevant  to  adduce  the  early  history  of  the  State 
with  reference  to  this  subject.  In  the  first  t  constitution 
(1777)  is  the  following  article:  — 

"  A  school  or  schools  shall  be  established  in  each  town,  by  the 
legislature,  for  the  convenient  instruction  of  youth.  .  .  .  One 
grammar  school  in  each  county,  and  one  university  in  this  State, 
ought  to  be  established  by  direction  of  the  General  Assembly." 

In  accordance  with  this  instrument,  we  find  at  an  early 
date,  and  subsequently  among  the  statutes  of  the  State, 
efficient  school  laws.  An  act,  passed  in  1787,  is  at  hand 
for  example :  — 

"For  the  due  encouragement  of  learning,  etc. :  that  each  town 
shall  be  divided,  when  necessary,  into  convenient  school  districts ; 
one  or  more  meet  persons,  together  with  the  selectmen,  to  be  trus 
tees  of  the  schools  in  the  town ;  a  district  committee  to  be  ap 
pointed  at  a  meeting  of  the  district,  who  shall  be  empowered  to 
raise  one-half  of  the  money  necessary  for  building  and  repairing 
a  school- house,  and  supporting  a  school,  etc.,  by  a  tax  on  the  in 
habitants  of  the  district ;  the  other  half  of  the  expenses  to  be 
provided  for  in  a  meeting  of  the  district,  either  by  a  tax,  or  by  a 
subscription  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  children  any  person 
shall  send  to  such  district  school." 

The  following  remarks,  by  Dr.  Williams,  respecting  the 
interest  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  State  in  education,  are 
so  creditable  to  them,  and  so  intrinsically  just,  they  are  in 
serted  here :  — 
29 


338  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

"  The  aim  of  the  parent  is  not  so  much  to  have  her  children 
acquainted  with  the  liberal  arts  and*  sciences,  but  to  have  them  all 
taught  to  read  with  ease  and  propriety;  to  write  a  plain  and 
legible  hand ;  and  to  have  them  acquainted  with  the  rules  of  arith 
metic,  so  far  as  shall  be  necessary  to  carry  on  any  of  the  most 
common  and  necessary  occupations  of  life.  All  the  children  are 
trained  up  to  this  kind  of  knowledge.  They  are  accustomed  from 
their  earliest  years  to  read  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  periodical 
publications,  newspapers,  and  political  pamphlets ;  to  form  some 
general  acquaintance  with  the  laws  of  their  country,  the  proceed 
ings  of  the  courts  of  justice,  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State, 
and  of  the  Congress,  etc.  Such  a  kind  of  education  is  common 
and  universal  in  every  part  of  the  State.  And  nothing  would  be 
more  dishonorable  to  the  parents  or  the  children  than  to  be  with 
out  it.  One  of  the  first  things  the  new  settlers  attend  to  is  to 
procure  a  school-master  to  instruct  their  children  in  the  arts  of 
reading,  writing,  and  arithmetic ;  and  where  they  are  not  able  to 
procure  or  hire  an  iustructor,the  parents  attend  to  it  themselves."  l 

From  1780,  the  time  of  the  incorporation  of  Clio  Hall  in 
Bennington,  until  1807,  twent}T-nve  county  grammar  schools 
and  academies  were  incorporated  in  the  State.2  Vermont 
University  was  chartered  in  1791,  in  connection  with  a  dona 
tion  of  four  thousand  pounds  from  Ira  Allen,  but  was  not 
immediately  organized.  Middlebury  College  was  chartered 
in  1800,  and  went  into  immediate  vigorous  operation. 
Vermont  University  was  organized  soon  after  at  Burling 
ton,  the  institution  of  learning  at  Norwich  in  1820  ;  Castle- 
ton  Medical  College,  1818  ;  Vermont  Medical  College,  1827.3 

The  highly  esteemed  pastor  of  the  writer  in  his  boyhood, 
in  Derby,  Conn.,  Rev.  Zephaniah  Swift,  was  a  Vermonter 
by  birth,  and  received  a  portion  of  his  academical,  and,  it 
is  believed,  his  theological  education  in  Bennington.  A 


1  Hist.  Vermont,  Walpole,  1794,  pp.  224-25. 

2  Tolman's  Statutes,  1808,  Appendix. 

3  See  lists  of  colleges  and  other  seminaries  of  learning  with  officers,  graduates, 
and  students,  in  Thompson's  Vermont. 


CLIO    HALL.  339 

subsequent  pastor  of  the  same  church,  while  the  writer's  home 
was  still  there,  the  Rev.  Hollis  Read,  the  missionary  and 
author,  was  a  Vermonter  by  birth,  and  at  the  least  came  to 
Bennington  for  his  wife.  When  the  writer  was  settled  as 
pastor  in  Stamford,  Conn.,  every  neighboring  Congrega 
tional  pastor,  and  at  least  two  other  pastors,  distinguished 
members  of  the  same  ministerial  association,  were  either  grad 
uates  of  Vermont  colleges  or  natives  of  this  State.  This  is 
by  no  means  an  isolated  illustration  of  the  fact  that  Ver 
mont  has  nobly  contributed  to  the  clerical  profession  as 
well  abroad  as  at  home.  If  in  Connecticut,  how  much  more 
in  the  new  States  of  the  West  ?  The  following  reminiscence, 
furnished  to  the  "Bennington  Banner"  by  Deacon  Stephen 
Bingham,  is  so  much  in  point,  it  shall  be  given  here  :  "  Mr. 
Sanders,  the  author  of  an  excellent  series  of  school-books, 
was  at  my  house  several  years  ago,  in  order  to  introduce 
some  of  his  books  into  the  schools.  A  minister  of  this 
town,  formerly  from  Massachusetts,  was  there  also.  During 
the  interview  Mr.  Sanders  said,  '  I  have  been  through  all 
the  middle,  the  western,  and  south-western  States,  to  intro 
duce  my  books  ;  and  I  find  more  teachers  from  Vermont 
than  from  any  other  State.'  The  minister  exclaimed  in 
surprise,  '  What !  more  than  from  Massachusetts?  '  '  Yes,' 
replied  Mr.  Sanders,  '  more  than  from  Massachusetts.  For 
I  seldom  go  into  a  place  where  there  are  two  or  three  schools 
but  I  find  at  least  one  teache'r  from  Vermont.1  " 

III.  ACADEMIES. — Clio  Hall  was  the  first  incorporated 
academy  in  the  State.  The  act  of  incorporation  was  passed 
Nov.  3,  1780.  The  building  stood  on  the  corner  where  the 
present  meeting-house  stands.  It  was  for  long  in  a  flourishing 
condition.  Mr.  Eldad  Dewey,  grandson  of  the  Rev.  Jedi- 
diah  Dewey,  was  principal  for  several  years.  A  notice  of 
the  celebration  of  the  tenth  anniversary  of  the  Benniugton 


340  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

battle,  in  the  "Vermont  Gazette"  of  Aug.  20,  1787, 
shows  that  educational  interests,  and  Clio  Hall  in  partic 
ular,  were  not  forgotten  in  the  making  up  of  the  programme. 
A  place  in  the  procession  was  assigned  to  the  rector  and 
students,  and  the  quarterly  examination  of  the  students 
was  held  both  forenoon  and  afternoon,  in  connection  with 
the  other  public  exercises,  in  the  meeting-house.  In  1803 
the  Clio  Hall  building  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

William  S.  Cardell,  educated  at  Williams  College,  and 
with  scientific  and  literary  acquirements  of  a  high  order, 
resided  in  the  North  Bennington  village  1805  to  1806, 
and  took  pleasure  in  imparting  instruction  and  promoting 
a  taste  for  learning  among  the  youth  of  the  village  and 
neighborhood.1 

Union  Academy,  in  the  east  village,  was  incorpor 
ated  about  1816,  and  a  building  erected.  The  brick 
building  in  the  centre  village,  called  Bennington  Acad 
emy,  was  erected  in  1821,  "in  which  the  higher  branches 
were  successfully  taught  for  many  years."  The  institution 
now  called  Mount  Anthony  Seminary  was  established  in 
1829.  This  and  the  Bennington  Academy  were  rival 
schools  from  1829  until  1837.  The  teachers  in  the  "  semi 
nary"  have  been  Mr.  —  now  Eev.  — Addison  Ballard,  Rev. 
Gurden  Hayes,  Mr.  G.  W.  Yates,  and  now  Mr.  Tales  in 
partnership  with  Mr.  S.  Benjamin  Jones.  The  list  of 
teachers  in  the  Bennington  Academy  is  not  at  hand,  —  Prof. 
W.  H.  Parker,  now  of  Middlebury  College,  was  one.  A 
high  school  was  commenced  and  a  new  academy  building 
erected  in  the  east  village  in  1833.  "  It  enjoyed  the  patron 
age  of  the  Baptist  denomination  of  the  town  and  vicinit}^ 
and  was  for  several  years  in  a  flourishing  condition  under 
the  successive  charges  of  Messrs.  Adiel  Harvey,  Horace 
Fletcher,  Justin  A.  Smith,  William  G.  Brown,  and  others." 

.  1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 


COLLEGE    GRADUATES   AND    OTHERS.  341 

Miss  Eliza  M.  Clark  and  sisters  opened  a  young  ladies'  board 
ing-school  in  the  east  village,  Bennington  village,  in  1859. 

In  North  Bennington  a  building,  which  had  been  erected 
for  a  Universalist  church,  was,  in  1849,  purchased  by  the 
citizens,  and  fitted  up  for  an  academy.  Mr.  Carpenter, 
Messrs.  Knight  and  Gould,  and  others  have  taught  the 
higher  branches  in  this  school.1 


IV.     COLLEGE  GRADUATES  AND  OTHERS.  — Eldad  Dewey, 
Nathan  Robinson,  Esq.,  William  A.  Griswold,  Esq.,  and 
one  of  the  Harmons,  are  recollected  by  an  old  citizen  as 
members   of  Dartmouth   College,    all  at   the   same   time. 
Jonathan  E.  Robinson,  Esq.,  David  Robinson,  Esq.,  and 
Governor  John  S.  Robinson  were  graduated  at  Williams  Col 
lege.     Martin,  a  promising  son  of  Jesse  Field,  went  to  col 
lege   and   died  there.      Governor  Tichenor   was   a   gradu 
ate  of  N»assau  Hall.     The  successive  pastors  of  the  Ben- 
ninton  church,  after  the  first  pastor,  have  all  been  college 
graduates.     We  have  not  at  hand  materials  for  making  out 
a  complete  list  of  college  graduates,  or  of  the  sons  of  Ben 
nington  who  have  distinguished  themselves  without  a  col 
lege  education,  in  the  professions,  in  public  office,  and  in 
mercantile  or  other  business  life.    A  great  number  of  names 
will  be  found  connected  with  some  more  or  less  particular 
notice  of  them  throughout  this  volume.     Bennington  has 
a  long  list  of  sons,  of  whose  talents,  energy,  and  success  in 
the  world    she   may  justty    be    proud.     And   her  present 
impetus  in  enterprise,  wealth,  and  taste,  —  an  augury  of  a 
bright  future,  —  doubtless,  in    no    small   degree,  worthily 
represents  the  energy  which,  for  forty  years  or  more   of 
her  early  history,  made  her  a  controlling  town  in  the  State, 
and  an  evidence  that  educational  influences  fitted  to  foster 
and  promote  energy  of  mind  have  not  been  wanting. 

1  See  the  article  on  Education  in  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  p.  103. 
29* 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

CHURCHES  ORGANIZED  IN  BENNINGTON  SUBSEQUENT 
LY  TO  THE  ORGANIZATION  OF  THE  BENNINGTON 
FIRST  CHURCH. 

1762-1862. 

)HE  REV.  J.  HIBBARD  AND  HIS  PEOPLE.  —  For  a 
portion  of  the  time  during  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Dewey,  Rev.  Ithamar  Hibbard  resided  in  the  west 
part  of  the  town  ;  and,  for  a  short  time,  was  minis 
ter  of  a  congregation  which  assembled  at  His  house. 
The  site  of  his  residence  is.  well  known  as  the  Hib 
bard  lot.  It  is  on  the  north-western  slope  of  Mt.  Anthony. 
At  that  time  a  road  wound  round  the  mountain  nearer  its 
base  than  the  road  now  does,  and  passed  along  the  border 
of  the  Hibbard  lot.  There  are  few  traditions  and  still  fewer 
recorded  particulars  of  this  congregation.  There  is  reason 
to  believe  that  it  was  an  attempt  at  a  more  radical  Separa 
tism  than  the  Bennington  church,  as  a  body,  approved. 
There  are  two  brief  entries,  and  only  two,  concerning  it, 
in  the  Bennington  church  records:  "November  12,  1772. 
The  church  being  met  by  appointment,  the  meeting  being 
opened  by  prayer,  agreed  to  send  for  a  council,  on  condi 
tion  Mr.  Hibbard  and  his  people  would  drop  Mr.  Frothing- 
ham ;  and,  for  ourselves,  chose  Mr.  Miller  and  Mr.  Park." 
This  Mr.  Frothingham  might  have  been  Rev.  Ebenezer 
Frothingham,  first  pastor  of  the  Separate  (now  South) 
church,  in  Middletown,  Conn.,  1747-1788.  The  Mr.  Miller 


N   CHURCHES.  343 


"was,  doubtless,  Rev.  Alexander  Miller,  pastor  of  the  Sepa 
rate  church  in  Plainfield,  Conn.  The  other,  Rev.  Paul 
Park,  pastor  of  a  Separate  church  in  Preston,  Conn.  "  De 
cember  31,  1772.  The  church  having  met  by  appointment, 
the  meeting  being  opened  by  prayer,  voted  to  send  an 
epistle  to  the  churches  concerning  Mr.  Hibbard  and  his 
people  ;  their  setting  up  as  a  church  in  the  manner  they 
have  done,  and  their  conduct  thereupon." 

The  following  particulars  of  Mr.  Hibbard's  history  are 
from  a  "Fiftieth  Anniversary  Discourse,"  delivered  at 
Poultney,  in  1852,  by  Rev.  John  Goadby  :  "This  little 
church"  (the  Baptist  church  of  Poultney)  "in  its  infancy 
united  with  the  Congregational  church  in  supporting  the 
gospel,  in  worship,  and  in  communion,  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  Ithamar  Hibbard,  who  had  been  a  chaplain  in  the 
army  of  the  Revolution.  He  was  the  first  settled  minister 
in  the  town,  and,  it  is  supposed,  came  with  an  organized 
church  from  Bennington.  In  1785  or  1786  some  difficulty 
arose  among  the  Congregationalists  in  relation  to  their  pas 
tor,  some  informality  connected  with  his  ordination  being 
alleged  as  the  ground  of  dissatisfaction  .....  The 
result  was  the  organization  of  another  Congregational 
church."  "  It  was  expected  by  Mr.  Hibbard's  friends  that 
the  newly  organized  church  intended  to  take  advantage 
of  the  alleged  informality  in  his  ordination  to  dispute 
his  right  to  the  lands  appropriated  to  the  first  settled  min 
ister.  To  preclude  the  attempt,  a  council  was  called  about 
the  year  1788,  when  he  was  ordained  according  to  the  Con 
gregational  order.  His  previous  ordination  was  according  to 
the  strict  Congregational  order."  In  1796  the  two  churches 
were  united,  and  Mr.  Hibbard,  who  had  continued  pastor  of 
his  own  church  up  to  this  time,  was  moderator  of  the  meeting 
at  which  the  union  of  the  two  churches  was  effected.  In 
1798  he  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  Hubbardton,  and 


344  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

died  there  March,  1*802.  Before  his  dismission  from  the 
Poultney  church  "he  became  a 'free-mason,  which  was  a 
trial  to  many." 

Mr.  Hibbard  was  a  member  of  the  Vermont  General  As 
sembly,  in  1778,  from  Wells  ;  also  in  1779,  as  appears  by 
the  journal. 

He  is  spoken  of  as  an  orthodox  and  sincere  man,  and  of 
respectable  attainments,  with  a  voice  which  in  preaching 
and  prayer  could  be  distinctly  heard  at  the  residence  of 
Aaron  Hubbell.  Several  verses,  entitled  "  The  Death  of  the 
Saint  desirable,"  printed  by  Anthoiry  Haswell  in  a  collec 
tion  of  anonymous  pieces,  have  been  assigned  by  tradition 
to  Mr.  Hibbard  as  their  author. 

One  of  his  sons  was  the  first  settled  minister  in  West 
Haven,  Vt. 

With  the  above  slight  exception,  if  exception  it  can  be 
called,  the  Bennington  church  was  alone  until  April  11, 
1827.  It  was  not  designated  by  any  denominational  title. 
Its  simple  name  was  THE  CHURCH  OF  CHRIST  IN  BENNING 
TON.  Up  to  this  time  the  present  house  of  worship  in  Ben 
nington  Centre  and  its  predecessor  were  the  only  houses  of 
worship  for  the  whole  town.  At  the  close  of  this  period 
the  Protestant  population  of  the  town  was  nearly  as  large 
as  it  is  now. 

II.  THE  FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH  l  was  organized  April  11, 
1827  ;  its  first  meeting-house  erected  in  1830,  and  dedicated 
July  1  of  that  year.  Its  pastors  have  been  as  follows : 
The  Reverends  F.  Baldwin,  June  28,  to  October,  1830  ; 
Thomas  Teasdale,  until  February,  1832  ;  Jeremiah  Hall, 
for  three  years,  until  April,  1835  ;  Samuel  B.  Willis,  for 
one  year,  ending  June,  1836  ;  Stephen  Hutchins,  1836-41  ; 

i  The  following  statistics  are  taken  chiefly  from  the  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  pp. 
162-3. 


BEXXIXGTOX   CHURCHES.  345 

"William  W.  Moore,  for  one  year,  ending  in  1843  ;  Cyrus 
W.  Hodges,  from  the  fall  of  1843  to  that  of  1848  ;  Edward 
Conover,  1849-52  ;  Mr.  Conover  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 

A.  Judson  Chaplin,  and  he  by  the  Rev.  Warren  Lincoln ; 
the  Rev.  E.  B.  Palmer  preached  one  year  ;  the  Rev.  William 
S.  Apsey  succeeded  him.     The  number  of  members,  at  the 
close  of  the  year  1862,  was  one  hundred  and  forty-seven  ; 

the  number  at  its  organization,  thirty-two. 

• 

III.  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  in  Bennington 
Village,  was  organized  in  Ma}r,  1827 ;    its  meeting-house 
erected  in  1833.    The  following  named  clerg}7men  have  been 
stationed  here  since  May,  1827,  for  two  years  each :  The 
Reverends  Cyrus  Prindle,  John  M.  Weaver,  Wright  Hazen, 

Henry  Burton,  Henry  Smith, Hubbard,  C.  R.  Wilkins, 

Jesse  Craig,  J.  W.  Belknap,  H.  B.  Knight,  R.  Wescott,  C. 
R.  Wilkins,  Merrit  Bates,  H.  R.  Smith,  Ensign  Stover ; 
1856-57, J.  E.  Bowen;  1858-59, C.  R.  Morris;  1860-61,  S. 
P.  Williams  ;  1862-63,  Jonas  Phillips.  The  number  of  mem 
bers  at  the  close  of  1862  was  one  hundred  and  seventy,  and 
thirty  probationers. 

IV.  ST.   PETER'S   CHURCH    (Episcopal)  was   organized 
July  24,  1834,  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  O. 
Preston,  and  a  church  edifice  built  of  brick  in  1836,  which 
was  consecrated  July  22,  1839.    The  Rev.  Mr.  Preston  con 
tinued  in  charge  of  the  parish  until  the  fall  of  1844,  and  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  C.  L.  Todd  for  one  year,  and  by  the 
Rev.  E.  F.  Remington  for  a  few  months.   The  Rev.  George 

B.  Manser,  D.D.,  became  rector  in  February,  1850,  and 
deceased  Nov.  17,  1862,  aged  fifty-nine  years  and  three 
months.     Dr.  Manser  was  widely  respected,  and  his  death 
felt  to  be  a  public  loss  as  well  as  a  sore  bereavement  to  his 
flock.     His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Duane  S.  Phillips.    The 


346  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

number  of  communicants,  at  the  close  of  1862,  was  one  hun 
dred  and  twentj-six. 

V.  THE  HINSDILLVILLE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  was  or 
ganized  Nov.  1,  1834,  by  a  colony  from  the  First  (Congre 
gational)  Church.  The  Reverends  Messrs.  Kenney,  Johnson, 
and  Nott  were  successively  pastors.     The  church  ceased  its 
active  existence  in  1842,  and  the  members,  who  originally 
numbered  seventy-five,  nfostly  returned  to  the  church  from 
which  they  had  colonized. 

VI.  THE  SECOND  CONGREGATIONAL  CHURCH,  being  also 
a  colony  from  the  old  church,  was  organized  April  26, 1836, 
and  soon  afterward  the  Rev.  Aretes  Loomis  became  its  pas 
tor.     He  continued  in  the  pastorate  until  Nov.  6,  1850,  and 
was  succeeded  by  his  son-in-law,  the  Rev.  Andrew  Bever- 
idge,  for  a  short  time. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Loomis,  after  his  dismission,  continued  to 
preach  in  various  places  with  acceptance  and  usefulness 
until  a  short  time  before  his  decease,  which  took  place  in 
Bennington,  where  he  resided.  He  was  logical,  clear  in  his 
style,  conscientious,  and  faithful,  and  enjoyed  the  highest 
confidence  of  all  as  a  minister,  a  Christian,  a  man,  and  a 
citizen.  Two  of  his.  sons  and  a  son-in-law  are  ministers 
of  the  gospel. 

The  Rev.  C.  H.  Hubbard  commenced  his  ministry  here  in 
1851,  and  still  continues.  The  number  of  members,  at  the 
close  of  1862,  was  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven. 

VII.  A  UNIVERSALIST  MEETING-HOUSE  was  erected   in 
North  Bennington  in   1836.     The   Reverends  Messrs.  G. 
Leach,  Bell,  Warren  Skinner,  and  others  successively  offi 
ciated  as  clergymen.     In  1849  the  building  was  purchased 
for  an  academy,  and  has  been  since  occupied  as  such. 


BENXINGTON   CHURCHES.  347 

VUI.  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCH  at  North  Bennington  was 
organized  in  July,  184-4,  and  in  1845  a  neal  and  convenient 
house  of  worship  erected.  The  Rev.  Justin  A.  Smith 
became  pastor  in  1844,  and  continued  in  that  relation  for 
nearly  five  years,  until  July,  1849.  He  was  in  a  few  months 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  J.  D.  E.  Jones,  who  continued  in 
charge  of  the  church  until  the  spring  of  1855.  Then  the 
Rev.  William  Hancock  was  the  pastor  for  one  year,  and  the 
Rev.  Jay  Huntington,  for  four  years,  1856-60.  His  suc 
cessor  was  the  Rev.  Jireh  Tucker.  The  church  numbered, 
at  the  close  of  1862,  ninety-five  members. 

IX.  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH,  in  Hinsdillville, 
was  organized  in  the  spring  of  1858,  and  the  old  house  of 
worship,  built  in  1835  for  the  Presbyterian  congregation, 
was  purchased  and  repaired  for  their  use.  The  Rev.  J.  E. 
Bowen  was  stationed  there,  1858-59.  His  successor  was 
the  Rev.  Mr.  McChesney.  The  Rev.  G.  Cuyler  Thomas, 
1861-62,  with  a  membership  of  ninety- four. 

As  long  ago  as  1836  a  small  chapel  had  been  built  about 
half  a  mile  from  the  present  church,  which  was  supplied 
with  preaching  in  connection  with  another  Methodist  Epis 
copal  society  in  Hoosick.  Among  the  clergymen  who  thus 
officiated  here  were  the  Reverends  A.  A.  Farr,  in  1840  ;  F. 
D.  Sherwood,  in  1841-42  ;  C.  Barber,  in  1843-44  ;  William 
Henry,  in  1845;  A.  Jones,  in  1846-47;  and  J.. Sage,  in 
1848-49.  After  this,  regular  preaching  was  suspended  until 
the  new  organization  in  1858. 

In  1857-58  there  was  an  extensive  revival  in  the  north 
east  part  of  the  town,  among  the  fruits  of  which  were  addi 
tions  to  the  several  churches,  and  a  chapel  built,  where 
preaching  is  more  or  less  regularly  supplied  by  the  pastors 
of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  denomination,  and  a  flourishing 
Sabbath  school  maintained. 


348  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

X.  For  some  years  previous  to  1850,  Father  O.  Calli- 
ghan,  residing  at  Burlington,  held  occasional  Roman  Cath 
olic  meetings  in  the  court-house  in  this  town.  He  was 
succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Daley,  who  came  regularly  at 
stated  times.  He  was  succeeded,  in  1855,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Druon,  who  resided  here,  and  under  whose  administration 
a  convenient  church  building  was  erected  the  same  year. 
He  remained  about  two  years.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bayden,  from 
Rutland,  then  officiated  until  January,  1859.  Then  the  Rev 
erends  Messrs.  Cloarce  and  Fitzgerald  successively.  Father 
Dennis  A.  Ryan  is  the  present  minister.  At  the  close  of 
1862  his  congregation  numbered  some  one  hundred  and 
forty  families  in  the  town. 

NOTE.  — A  Congregational  church  was  organized  in  North  Ben- 
nington  in  1868. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

THE  CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION. 


celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the 
church's  organization,  which  in  point  of  chronology 
would  more  appropriately  have  been  held  on  Dec. 
3,  1862,  was  appointed  to  the  first  Sabbath  of  Janu- 
ary,  1863,  —  (Jan.  4.) 

SOME  EXTRACTS  FROM  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CELE 
BRATION,  by  Richard  M.  Green,  M.D.,  in  the  "  Bennington 
Banner,"  of  a  subsequent  date,  will  not  be  deemed  out  of 
place  among  these  records  of  the  old  church  :  — 

44  The  weatheiv  was  unusually  fine,  and  it  was  in  every 
way  one  of  the  most  pleasant  days  that  we  ever  have  at  this 
season  of  the  year."  It  was  so  warm  no  fire  was  needed  in 
the  house,  and  some  of  the  windows  were  a  part  of  the  time 
opened,  —  a  remarkable  circumstance  for  this  latitude  in 
midwinter.  "  Thus  those  who  lived  at  a  distance,  —  in  par 
ticular  many  of  the  aged>  and  others  whom  it  might  have 
been  expected  would  be  detained  at  home  under  ordinary 
circumstances  by  the  rigor  of  the  season,  were  enabled  to 
be  present  on  this  most  interesting  occasion.  An  invita 
tion  had  been  extended  to  the  other  and  younger  churches 
of  the  town  to  gather  at  this  old  house  and  join  in  the  ser 
vices  of  the  day.  The  different  choirs,  also,  had  been  invited 
to  take  part  in  the  singing,  which  they  did  under  the  direc 
tion  of  Mr.  John  Fay,  the  beloved  leader  of  the  choir  of  the 
old  church.  For  some  time  before  the  appointed  hour  the 
house  was  crowded  to  the  extent  of  its  accommodations, 
30 


350  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

and  it  was  soon  necessary  to  make  use  of  all  the  seats  and 
benches  that  could  be  placed  in  the  aisles.  It  was  easy  to 
see  that  no  feelings  of  mere  curiosity  had  gathered  together 
this  large  assembly,  or  any  part  of  it,  but  a  deep  interest 
in,  and  sympathy  with,  the  occasion.  At  the  appointed 
time  Rev.  Mr.  Phillips,  of  the  Methodist  Church,  o):>ened 
the  exercises  by  asking  the  blessing  of  Grod  on  those  pres 
ent,  and  the  object  for  which  they  had  come  together.  '  Cor 
onation  '  was  then  sung.  After  which,  Rev.  Mr.  Hubbard, 
of  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  offered  a  deeply  im 
pressive  and  appropriate  pra}Ter.  After  'Old  Hundredth' 
the  discourse  was  delivered.  ...  It  was  listened  to  by 
all  with  undivided  attention  from  its  beginning  to  its  close, 
—  a  period  of  two  hours  and  a  half.  .  .  .  All  present 
at  the  dedication  of  the  present  house  of  worship  were 
asked  to  rise  ;  only  thirteen  stood  up.  Prayer  was  offered 
by  Father  Beman,  and  the  services  were  then  closed  by 
singing  and  the  benediction.  The  members  of  the  differ 
ent  religious  bodies  remained  after  the  dismissal  of  the 
audience  to  celebrate  together  the  Lord's  Supper.  Mem 
bers  of  five  different  evangelical  denominations  were  gath 
ered  about  the  table  of  their  common  Lord,  and  probably 
never  before  in  this  town  had  so  large  a  number  partaken 
together  of  the  emblems  of  their  Saviour's  suffering." 

II.  CONCLUDING  REMARKS  OF  THE  CENTENNIAL  DIS 
COURSE.  —  u  Even  while  I  speak,  how  the  scenes  of  the  more 
recent  past  crowd  upon  my  mind  !  and  if  upon  mine,  how 
much  more  upon  yours,  respected  friends,  who  are  '  to  the 
manner  born  ; '  and  whose  profoundest  emotions  mingle  to 
day  with  cherished  reminiscences  of  years  recently,  or 
long  since,  gone  by.  Venerated  and  beloved  forms  rise 
before  you :  actors  and  deeds  when  this  church  was  still 
the  only  church  in  the  town,  and  it  was  in  the  fulness  and, 


CONCLUSION   OF  CENTENNIAL   DISCOURSE.  351 

}'  say,  pride  of  its  strength ;  the  struggles  in  unscru 
pulous  controversy  of  powerful  wills,  when  subjects  of 
controversy,  or  projects  of  innovation,  had  stirred  up  the 
whole  strength  of  the  parish  to  arra}T  the  san^e,  part  on  the 
one  side  and  part  on  the  other ;  individual  events  and 
transactions,  assuming  for  some  reason  ineffaceable  promi 
nence  in  your  recollections  ;  the  commanding  and  graceful 
person  of  GovernorTichenor  as  he  used  to  come  in  and  take 
his  seat  regularly,  and  with  dignified  propriety,  in  the  sanc 
tuary  ;  the  imperturbable  regularity  with  wliich  Deacon 
Calvin  Bingham  appeared  over  the  hill  with  his  sons  and 
daughters,  riding  into  the  village  street,  and  onto  the  house 
of  God,  to  take  their  places  in  the  pew  and  the  singers'  seat 
every  Sabbath,  in  sunshine  and  in  storm  ;  the  strong  and 
earnest  tones  of  Governor  Moses  Robinson  in  public  sup 
plication  to  God  ;  the  enthusiasm  and  power,  and  culture, 
too,  with  which  sacred  song  has  ever  been  maintained  in 
this  temple  of  God.  • 

"  Some  of  you  will,  to-day,  I  suppose,  need  not  much 
assistance  of  mine  to  recall  the  feelings  you  have  had  while 
listening  to  the  voices  of  leaders  and  other  prominent 
singers  who  have  occupied  the  seats  in  this  gallery,  —  voices 
of  exquisite  melody  and  rare  compass  and  control  poured 
forth  with  the  spirit  and  the  understanding  in  the  praises 
of  God  —  alas  !  hushed  in  death.  Some,  even  since  my  brief 
sojourn  among  you,  have  passed  away  from  us,  who  were 
important  actors  in  the  scenes  and  career  of  this  church  ; 
and  than  whom,  if  they  were  spared  and  were  with  us, 
there  would  be  no  more  deeply  interested  participants  in 
the  exercises  of  this  occasion,  attached  in  bonds  of  endur 
ing  affection  to  this  church  of  their  ancestors  and  of  their 
own  intense  care  and  unwearied  labor ;  fathers  and  mothers 
in  this  Israel,  and  laborers  with  a  will  in  this  vineyard  of 
the  Lord,  striving,  alas !  with  human  passion,  and  yet 


352  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

where  want  of  energy  is  treason  to  the  cause,  for  these 
altars  of  their  God.  Venerated  and  beloved  ones !  over 
whose  graves  the  tears  of  affection  are  still  shed,  and  whose 
vacant  places  we  could  easily  pause  to  mourn  over  afresh 
at  this  time,  we  may  yet  thank  God  for  what  you  were 
enabled  to  manifest  of  zeal  for  his  house  ;  and  we  will  pray 
that  we  may  emulate  that  zeal,  so  far  as  it  was  worthy, 
ourselves  each  in  the  church,  and  in  that  sphere  in  the 
church  where  Providence  has  placed  us. 

"  As  a  part  of  the  more  recent  past  of  this  church  may  be 
reckoned  the  organization  of  other  churches  in  the  town,  in 
some  more  than  others,  I  suppose,  and  yet  in  all  instances 
more  or  less,  embracing  those  who  have  been  members  of 
this  particular  communion.  In  the  separation  of  members 
of  a  church  to  join  other  churches  in  the  same  town,  or  to 
assist  in  organizing  such  churches,  there  is  apt  to  be  a 
little  disagreement  as  to  the  line  of  propriety  and  duty  in 
such  cases  between  those  who  go  and  those  who  remain. 
But  all  now,  I  presume,  feel  that  the  course  of  population 
into  the  valleys  and  plains  demands  there  houses  and  means 
of  public  worship  ;  and  all  believe,  too,  that  different  denom 
inations  of  Christians  have  a  right,  as  to  one  another,  to  their 
own  opinions  and  preferences. 

"  It  is  in  this  spirit  we  welcome  you,  friends  of  the  different 
churches  of  the  town,  here  to-day,  and  rejoice  in  the  pros 
pect  of  sitting  down  with  you  at  the  common  table  of  our 
Lord.  We  doubt  not  that  you  are  sharers  with  us  in  the 
interest  we  feel  in  the  past  history  of  a  church  of  which 
many  of  you  were  once  particular  members  yourselves,  and, 
in  the  case  of  more  of  }^ou,  your  ancestors  were. 

"Take  the  lessons  of  this  occasion,  if  there  is  aught  in 
them  to  guide  us,  that  we  may  act  our  part  that  remains 
wisely  and  well ;  and,  when  we  separate,  go  to  your  own 
several  fields  of  labor  and  privilege,  leaving  your  blessing 


CONCLUSION  OF  CENTENNIAL  DISCOURSE.          353 

with  us,  and  taking  our  blessing  with  you,  and  with  renewed 
zeal  give  yourselves  to  the  duties  which  the  best  welfare  of 
your  several  churches  calls  upon  you  to  perform.  So  may 
you  for  these  churches  help  to  make  a  history,  which,  when 
their  hundredth  anniversary  shall  come  round,  will  make  an 
occasion  for  their  then  living  members  as  full  of  interest  to 
them  as  this  is  to  all  of  us  who  are  here  present." 
30- 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 
SUPPLEMENTARY. 

HE  TOWNSHIP  IN  THE  OLDEN  TIME. — At  the  time 
fi\    of  the  Bennington  battle  there  were  rude  tenements. 
Large  portions  of  the  town  were  covered  with  pri- 
n    meval   forest,  —  Mt.  Anthony,  base   and  sides   as 


well  as  top  down  to  near  the  meeting-house.  The 
land  was,  however,  highly  productive,  and  largely 
cleared  and  planted.  There  was  great  agricultural  pros 
perity.  The  only  village  was  what  is  now  called  Benning 
ton  Centre.  There  were  also  numerous  frame  dwellings. 

Col.  Seth  Warner  came  to  Bennington  to  reside  in  Janu- 
aiy,  1765,  and  remained  here  until  the  summer  of  1784. 
He  was  a  near  neighbor  of  James  Breakenridge.  Ell  wells 
and  Strattons  came  among  the  early  settlers  and  bought 
lands  in  that  part  of  the  town,  where  those  families  still 
are.  Dr.  Jonas  Fay  resided  in  a  house  on  the  "  Blue  Hill." 
Drs.  Gaius  Smith  and  Medad  Parsons  resided  in  the  west 
part  of  the  fown.  Dea.  Joseph  S afford  located  himself  on  a 
farm  near  the  present  residence  of  Thomas  McDaniels.  The 
Bingham  homestead  was  on  the  commanding  and  beautiful 
eminence  south  of  and  near  the  present  village  of  North 
Bennington.  Jonathan  Lawrence,  whose  daughter  Mary 
was  the  wife  of  Gen.  Samuel  Safford,  settled  in  the  south 
east  part  of  the  town.  Gen.  Ebenezer  Walbridge  was  joint 
proprietor  with  Joseph  Hinsdill  in  the  first  paper-mill 
erected  in  the  State,  1786,  where  is  now  Paper-mill  Village. 


S  UPPLEMENTA  R  Y.  355 

In  Sager's  City,  now  North  Bennington,  a  saw-mill  was 
erected  in  1775.  The  mills,  called  "Samuel  Safford  Mills" 
as  earty  as  17GG,  were  built  at  the  outset  of  the  settlement 
of  the  town.  Samuel  Safford,  afterward  Gen.  Safford,  was 
the  miller.  It  is  related  that  on  one  occasion,  when  a  com 
mittee  waited  upon  him  to  inform  him  of  his  appointment 
to  some  important  office,  the  spokesman  remarked  that  they 
had  found  him  an  honest  miller,  and  they  therefore  trusted 
he  would  make  a  faithful  public  officer.  He  built  and  occu 
pied  the  house  now  the  residence  of  Mr.  M.  C.  Morgan,  in 
1774.  Benjamin  Webb,  Sen.,  deceased  Feb.  12,  1812,  came 
from  Windsor,  Conn.,  about  1770,  and  settled  where  Benja 
min  Webb  now  resides,  with  his  wife,  Electa,  daughter  of 
Gen.  Safford,  ninety -two  years  of  age,  —  bright  and  cheer 
ful,  and  taking  a  deep  and  intelligent  interest  still  in  remi 
niscences  of  the  olden  time.  Isaac  Webster  lived  upon  a 
farm  west  of  Benjamin  Webb. 

Not  until  after  the  present  century  did  the  east  and  north 
villages  gain  much  growth.1  The  rotid  from  Boston  came 
over  the  mountain  at  the  u  Elbow."  The  first  frame  house 
in  town  was  built  by  Capt.  Samuel  Robinson,  near  where  is 
now  the  "  Safford  Robinson  house."  The  first  in  the  Centre 
Village  was  built  by  Gen.  David  Robinson,  partly  in  front 
of  the  site  of  the  present  residence  of  G.  W.  Robinson.  The 
house  now  occupied  by  Dea.  H.  H.  Harwood  was  built  in 
1770. 

The  population  of  the  town  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolutionary  War  was,  probably,  about  fifteen  hundred. 
There  is  in  the  possession  of  the  Vanderspeigel  family  a 
picture  of  Bennington  Centre  as  it  was  in  1796, —  a  large 
oil  painting  by  Earle. 

1  A  particular  account,  by  N.  B.  Hall,  Esq.,  of  the  early  progress  of  Ben 
nington  Village,  and  of  the  North  Benniugton  Village,  by  Gov.  Hall,  will  be 
found  in  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  pp.  136-142. 


356  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

II.  EXECUTION  OF  DAVID  REDDING.  —  He  had  been  con 
victed  of  u  enemical  conduct,"  and  sentenced  to  be  exe 
cuted.     The  day  of  execution  came,  and  with  it  a  vast 
concourse  of  people.    Ethan  Allen  had  just  arrived  in  town 
from  his  English  captivity,  which  added  much  to  the  excite 
ment  of  the  day.   In  the  mean  time  the  fact,  for  fact  it  was, 
that  Redding  had  been  tried  by  a  jury  of  six,  contrary  to 
the  common  law,  was  effectually  employed  by  Redding's 
counsel  to  obtain  from  the  governor  a  reprieve  until  Redding 
could  be  tried  again.     The  throng  of  people  assembled  to 
witness  the  execution  were  much  exasperated  against  Red 
ding,  and  indignant  that  he  should  be  so  readily  reprieved. 
Ethan   Allen,  suddenly  pressing   through   the   crowd,  as 
cended  a  stump,  and,  waving  his  hat,  exclaiming,  "  Atten 
tion,  the  whole ! "  explained  the   reason  of  the  reprieve, 
referred  to  the  second  day  fixed  upon  by  the  governor  and 
council,  bade  them  return  on  that  day,  and  added,  with  an 
oath,  "  You  shall  see  somebody  hung,  at  all  events  ;  for,  if 
Redding  is  not  then  nung,  I  will  be  hung  nryself  ! "  l 

III.  TIBBETTS  AND  WniTNEY.2  —  On  Sunday,  August  8, 
1802,  an  affray  happened  on  the  farm  of  Roswell  Moseley, 
residing  about  a  mile  south  of  the  meeting-house  (Benning- 
ton  Centre) ,  the  Paige  place,  where  several  men  were  en 
gaged  in  harvesting  grain,  in  which  a  transient  person  by 
the  name  of  Gordon,  said  to  have  been  an  Indian  or  Cana 
dian,  was  so  badly  injured  that  he  died  the  next  day.     His 
skull  was  fractured  in  several  places,  and  trepanning,  by 
Dr.  Porter,  of  Williamstown,  was  resorted  to,  but  without 
affording  relief.     The  injuries  appeared  to  have  been  in 
flicted  with   clubs   by  George   Tibbetts,   of  Pownal,  and 
George  Whitney,  from  Stamford. 

1  See  a  particular  account  of  this  affair,  Vermont  Hist,  Mag,,  p.  159.    See, 
also,  Slade's  Vermont  State  Papers. 

2  MSS.  of  Gov.  Hall. 


5  UPPLEMENTAR  Y.  357 

They  were  arrested,  and  brought  to  trial  for  murder  at  a 
special  term  of  the  Supreme  Court,  holden  for  that  purpose 
in  Bennington  in  November  following,  when  they  were  con 
victed  of  manslaughter,  and  sentenced  to  three  months' 
imprisonment,  to  pay  a  fine  of  four  hundred  dollars  each, 
and  to  give  bonds  for  their  good  behavior,  each  in  five  hun 
dred  dollars. 

The  trial  excited  great  interest  at  the  time,  and  the  verdict 
and  sentence  appear  to  have  created  considerable  dissatis 
faction.  Pierrepoint  Edwards,  of  Connecticut,  was  sent  for 
by  the  friends  of  the  accused,  and  is  said  to  have  made  a 
most  eloquent  and  masterly  defence. 

The  jury,  on  bringing  in  their  verdict  for  manslaughter, 
were  addressed  by  the  three  judges,  Jacobs,  Tyler,  and 
Chief  Justice  Robinson,  and  sent  back  for  a  reconsidera 
tion.  They,  however,  adhered  to  their  first  finding. 

Mr.  Mosely  was  a  prominent  and  respectable  citizen,  a 
Federalist  in  politics,  and  is  believed  to  have  taken  an  in 
terest  in  the  fate  of  the  deceased.  For  this  reason,  or  some 
other,  in  the  then  excited  state  of  party  feeling,  both  the 
judges  and  jury  were  charged  with  being  influenced  by  po 
litical  bias  in  allowing  the  accused  so  easy  an  escape.  It 
does  not  seem  probable  that  the  charge  was  well  founded. 
It  is  more  likely  there  were  extenuating  circumstances 
attending  the  occurrence  which  deprived  it  of  much  of  its 
criminality. 

IV.  JEFFERSONIAN  DEMOCRACY.  —  The  country  was 
divided  into  two  great  political  parties,  at  the  head  of  one 
of  which  was  Mr.  Adams,  and  at  the  head  of  the  other  Mr. 
Jefferson.  The  former  were  called  Federalists,  the  latter 
Republicans.  Gov.  Moses  Robinson1  was  a  political  friend 
of  Jefferson  and  Madison,  and  when  in  Congress  united 

1  Gov.  Tichenor,  Capt.  Elijah  Dewey,  and  others  were  Federalists. 


358  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

with  them  in  their  favorable  views  of  the  French  revolution 
and  government,  and  in  their  hostility  to  Jay's  treaty  with 
England.1  In  June,  1791,  Mr.  Jefferson,  then  Secretary  of 
State,  and  Mr.  Madison,  a  member  of  the  House  of  Rep 
resentatives,  in  making  a  horseback  tour  through  New 
England,  stopped  in  Bennington,  and  spent  the  Sabbath 
with  Gov.  Robinson,  who  had  then  been  recently  elected 
to  the  Senate.  Judge  Jonathan  Robinson  occupied  a  lead 
ing  position  in  the  Republican  part}7  of  the  State  for  many 
years.  While  in  the  Senate  he  was  understood  to  have  the 
ear  and  confidence  of  President  Madison,  and  to  have  a 
controlling  influence  in  the  distribution  of  the  army,  and 
other  patronage  of  the  administration  within  this  State, 
which,  in  consequence  of  the  war  with  England,  was  then 
very  great.2 

Previously  to  Jefferson's  election,  as  President,  and 
during  Adams'  administration,  Mr.  Anthony  Has  well  pub 
lished,  in  his  paper,  an  article  in  relation  to  the  imprison 
ment  of  Matthew  Lyon,  under  "  the  Sedition  law,"  and 
another  on  the  conduct  of  President  Adams  in  making 
appointments  to  office,  which,  though  manifesting  consid 
erable  warmth  of  feeling,  would  not  now  be  noticed  as  pos 
sessing  a  criminal  character.  For  these  he  was  indicted 
before  the  United  States  Circuit  Court,  and  in  1800,  at 
Windsor,  was  sentenced,  by  Judge  Patterson,  to  two 
months'  imprisonment  in  the  jail  in  this  town,  and  to  pay 
a  fine  of  two  hundred  dollars  and  costs.  He  was  allowed 
to  serve  out  his  term  of  imprisonment,  which  term  expired 
the  9th  day  of  July.  The  celebration  of  the  anniversary 
of  the  declaration  of  Independence  was  postponed  until 
that  day,  when,  his  fine  and  costs  being  paid,  he  was  lib 
erated  from  jail  amid  the  roar  of  cannon,  and  the  acclama 
tion  of  his  neighbors  and  political  friends.  He  was,  by  a 

1,2  See  Vermont  hist.  Mag. 


S  UPPLEMENTAR  T.  359 

large  portion  of  the  community,  considered  as  a  martyr  in 
the  cause  of  freedom ;  and  his  prosecution,  instead  of 
strengthening  the  administration  in  this  State,  served 
greatly  to  increase  the  number  and  zeal  of  its  opponents. 
The  fine  and  costs  have  since  been  refunded  to  his  descend 
ants  by  Act  of  Congress."  l 

Throughout  Vermont,  at  that  period,  party  political  zeal 
almost  outran  itself.  The  determined  spirit,  and  individual 
independence,  of  the  Vermonters,  missing  now  the  New 
York  State  controversies,  and  the  Revolutionary  War,  ex 
ercised  itself  upon  the  subjects  and  measures  in  dispute 
between  Federalists  and  Republicans.  What  was  true  of 
the  State  in  general  was  certainly  true  of  Bennington  in 
particular. 

The  people  read  eagerly  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  dis 
cussed  earnestly  and  comprehensively  the  public  measures 
of  the  government,  were  intelligent,  determined,  and 
spirited  in  their  conflicting  positions  almost  beyond  what 
we  can  now  conceive  of.  The  writer  has  been  permitted  to 
see  an  interesting  glimpse  of  this  in  the  MS.  diary  of  Ben 
jamin  Harwood,  and  will  take  the  liberty  to  favor  the  read 
ers  of  these  pages  with  one  or  two  extracts  :  — 

"Oct.  18,  1808. — In  consequence  of  certain  intelligence  being 
received  in  town  of  Mr.  Tichenor  being  elected  Governor  of  the 
State  of  Vermont,  there  was  wonderful  rejoicing  among  the  Fed 
eralists,  which  was  demonstrated  by  firing  the  great  gun,  beating 
the  drum,  and  playing  the  fife Next  year  the  Repub 
licans  will  rally  and  defeat  the  Federal  cause  in  this  State,"  — 
ichich  they  did. 

Mr.  Galusha,  one  of  the  former  judges  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  Vermont,  was  chosen  governor  of  the  State. 
His  election  was  supported  by  the  Republican  party,  which 
had  managed  so  successfully  as  to  secure  a  majority  over 

l  See  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.,  pp.  176,  177. 


360  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

the  old  governor,  who,  for  years,  had  served  the  State  with 
fidelity  and  applause. 

"April  29,  1808.  —  Mr.  Parsons  came  here  this  evening  and 
brought  a  couple  of  newspapers,  dated  April  26,  "  Lansingburgh 
Gazette,"  and  "Farmer's  Register."  The  "Farmer"  contains 
some  most  bitter  complaints  against  the  embargo ;  but,  after  all 
they  can  say  about  it,  they  have  not  proved  that  it  is  not  a  wise 

measure Mr.  Parsons  and  I  talk  of  takiDg  a  Federal 

paper  between  us,  so  as  to  see  both  sides,  that  we  may  the  better 
judge." 

V.  PRESENT  MEETING-HOUSE  OF  THE  FIRST  CHURCH. — As 
early  as  1792  the  subject  of  a  new  meeting-house  began  to 
be  agitated  in  town  meetings.  Every  such  attempt,  how 
ever,  was  unsuccessful1  until  Dec.  12,  1803,  then  a  vote 
was  obtained, 

"  To  build  the  meeting-house,  and  to  tax  the  inhabitants  to  the 
amount  of  five  thousand  dollars  for  the  purpose." 

In  1801,  a  statute  had  been  enacted  requiring,  instead  of 
the  certificate  of  belonging  to  a  different  denomination  in 
order  to  exemption  from  the  tax  for  religious  purposes,  only 
that  persons  should  sign  a  simple  statement  of  dissent. 
At  the  meeting  which  voted  to  build  the  mee ting-house  and 
tax  the  inhabitants,  it  was  also  voted, 

"  That  the  term  of  one  month  be  allowed  to  the  inhabitants  to 
enter  their  dissent." 

There  were  only  a  few  who  availed  themselves  of  this 
provision.  But,  as  appears  upon  the  town  records,  one 
hundred  and  twenty-three  persons,  male  and  female,  had 
signed  such  a  dissent  eight  days  before  the  warning  pur 
suant  to  which  the  above  meeting  was  held. 

1  See  town  records  for  March  meeting,  1792-1803. 


ARTICLES    OF  FAITH.  361 

The  place  for  the  new  meeting-house  was  decided  upon. 
David  Fay,  Esq.,  was  chosen  treasurer  ;  David  Robinson, 
Andrew  Selden,  William  Henry,  Jr.,  Esq.,  assessors ;  Jon 
athan  Wentworth,  collector ;  Isaac  Tichenor,  David  Robin 
son,  Moses  Robinson,  Jr.,  Thomas  Abel,  and  Jesse  Field, 
the  building  committee.  The  work  of  building  at  once 
commenced,  and  was  carried  vigorously  forward. 

In  the  mean  time  only  about  two  thousand  two  hundred  and 
ninety  dollars  of  the  tax  had  been  collected,  and  it  was 
ascertained  the  house,  according  to  the  plan,  would  cost 
seven  thousand  seven  hundred  and  ninety-three  dollars  and 
twenty-three  cents.  The  taxing  method  became  increas 
ingly  unpopular.  Before  the  house  was  completed  it  was 
determined,  in  a  meeting  of  the  society,  to  surrender  the 
plain  of  raising  the  money  by  tax  ;  to  refund  to  those  who 
had  paid  their  tax  ;  and  to  sell  the  pews  on  the  ground  floor 
for  sufficient  to  defray  all  expenses,  —  which  was  accom 
plished.  In  1852  the  square  pews  were  removed  and  the 
church  reseated  with  slips.  A  diagram  of  the  pews  of  the 
house  as  it  was  dedicated  Jan.  1,  1806,  with  the  amount 
for  which  each  pew  was  sold,  and  the  names  of  the  original 
proprietors  of  each  pew,  prepared  by  William  Haswell,  is 
in  the  keeping  of  the  clerk  of  the  society. 

VI.  ARTICLES  OF  FAITH  OF  THE  BENNINGTON  FIRST 
CHURCH.  —  The  Cambridge  Platform,  with  the  exception 
hereinbefore  mentioned,1  was  their  standard  of  doctrine  and 
discipline.  They  had  no  other  articles  of  faith  until  July  1, 
1820.  Then  a  summary  of  fourteen  articles  of  faith  was 
unanimously  adopted  by  the  church,  the  same  having  been 
recommended  by  a  committee  previously  appointed,  —  Rev. 
Mr.  Peters,  Deacon  Calvin  Bingham,  Deacon  Jotham 
French,  David  Robinson,  and  Aaron  Robinson. 

1  See  page  32. 
31 


362  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

In  the  interval  between  the  dismission  of  Rev.  Daniel  A. 
Clark  and  settlement  of  Rev.  Mr.  Hooker,  the  subject  of 
printing  the  articles  of  faith  having  been  introduced  into  a 
church  meeting,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  revise  them, 
—  Aaron  Robinson,  Deacon  Stephen  Hinsdill,  and  Dr.  Wil 
liam  Bigelow.  This  committee  recommended  new  articles 
of  faith,  which  were  adopted  unanimously  Aug.  5, 1831,  and 
are  those  still  in  use. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

INFLUENCE    OF  THE  EARLY    SETTLERS   OF    VERMONT 
ON  FREEDOM  OF  PUBLIC  WORSHIP. 


AWS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  AS   AFFECTING  THE   SEPA 
RATES.  —  It  is  not  denied  that  the  civil  power  was,  in 


Massachusetts,  applied  to  the  Separates  to  com 
pel  them  to  support  the  public  worship  of  the  stand 
ing  order.  The  principle,  in  the  Cambridge  Plat 
form,  that  the  civil  magistrate  was,  when  necessary, 
to  enforce  conformity  in  doctrine  and  worship  to  the 
word  of  God,  was  not  repudiated.  This  principle  made 
the  civil  power,  in  some  sort,  a  judge  of  what  doctrine  and 
worship  was  agreeable  to  the  word  of  God.  But  practically 
that  was  esteemed  to  be  such  which  was  then  prevailing. 
And  when  the  conformity  to  the  word  of  God  was  not  so 
convincingly  seen,  or  its  force  as  an  argument  so  irresist 
ibly  felt,  the  consideration  —  shown  by  experience  to  be  not 
always  well  founded  —  of  the  greater  ease  of  supporting  the 
minister,  and  building  the  meeting-house,  and  keeping  it  in 
repair,  when  all  in  the  community  united  together  in  one 
wa}r,  was  readily  accepted.1  So  late  down  as  1763  our 
immigrants  from  Massachusetts  to  Bennington  showed  that 
they  understood  the  fourth  paragraph  in  the  eleventh  chap 
ter  in  the  Cambridge  Platform,  in  respect  of  using  the  civil 
power  to  support  the  gospel ;  and  also  the  ninth  paragraph 
in  the  seventeenth  chapter,  in  respect  of  the  civil  magis 
trate's  "  cohersive  "  power,  to  be  in  force,  and  that  they  had 

1  See  the  succeeding  pages. 


364  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

felt  their  force,  when  they,  in  their  first  church  meeting, 
and  as  a  fundamental  act,  voted  to  except  to  these  articles, 
receiving  the  entire  platform  beside. 

The  law  enacted  in  Massachusetts  in  1760,  requiring  a 
university  education,  or  the  testimony  of  a  major  part  of  the 
settled  ministry  of  the  country  that  the  minister  is  of  suf 
ficient  learning,  or  making  the  assessment  for  his  support 
void,  was,  it  is  quite  likely,  aimed  at  the  Separates.  With 
this  — perhaps  with  some  other  —  slight  exception,  the  pre 
vailing  form  in  which,  in  Massachusetts,  the  Separates  felt 
the  civil  magistrate's  coercive  power,  was  that  of  being 
obliged,  under  existing  general  statutes,  to  pay  taxes  to  the 
regular  ministry ;  and  of  being  incompetent  to  collect  by 
law  any  assessment  or  subscription  for  their  own  minister. 
As  Separate  congregations,  distinctively  so  known,  there 
was  no  relief  for  them  from  this,  in  law,  until  the  adoption 
of  the  constitution  of  1780  ;  and  even  then  the  instrument 
was  so  interpreted  for  years  as  to  make  it  of  comparatively 
little  advantage  to  the  Separates.  For  example,  it  was 
claimed  by  the  dominant  party  that  the  privilege  of  minor 
ity  worship,  without  liability  to  pay  taxes  for  the  support  of 
the  standing  order,  was,  b}^  this  constitution,  confined  to 
incorporated  societies,  and  in  case  of  such  incorporated 
society,  if  not  the  regular  or  established  society  of  the  town, 
they  must  pay  their  tax  with  the  others  to  the  collector,  and, 
let  it  go  for  the  parish  minister,  or  recover  back  their  por 
tion  for  the  payment  of  their  own  minister  by  suing  it  out, 
—  so  decided  in  1808,  by  a  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court.1 

It  is  true  there  were  exempting  laws,  so  called  (laws 
to  exempt  certain  classes  from  the  tax  to  support  the  es 
tablished  worship  of  the  town),  but  no  such  law  was  ever 
passed  for  the  benefit  of  the  Separates.  There  was  an  ex 
empting  law  as  early  as  1693,  for  Boston,  by  which  all 

1  Montague  vs.  Dedham,  4  Mass.,  269. 


EXEMPTING   LAWS.  365 

denominations  and  religions  societies  were  as  free,  with 
respect  to  public  worship,  as  at  this  day  ;  and  so  it  has  ever 
since  been  in  that  city.  Exempting  laws  for  five  years, 
seven  }rears,  eleven  years,  at  a  time,  first  began  to  be  en 
acted  for  Episcopalians  in  1727  ;  for  Baptists  and  Quakers 
in  1728.  The  differing  sects  were  then  very  inconsider 
able.1  But  for  the  New-Light  Congregational  churches,  in 
towns  where  the  old  church  remained  and  was  in  the  ma- 
jorit3r,  not  only  were  no  exempting  laws  in  favor  enacted, 
but  especial  care  was  taken,  in  the  re-enacting  of  such  ex 
empting  laws  as  had  been  previously  obtained,  to  so  guard 
them  with  new  restrictions  that  the  minority  Congrega 
tional  churches  could  by  no  means  take  advantage  of  them. 
There  was  a  portion  of  the  New-Light  churches  which  em 
braced  Baptist  views.  It  was  inferred  that  many  did  this 
to  take  advantage  of  the  exempting  laws  for  Baptists. 
Probably  this  was  true  of  some.  It  could  not  have  been 
true  of  all,  for,  in  many  instances,  these  persons  refused  to 
comply  with  the  exempting  laws  as  Baptists,  assuming  that 
they  were  wrong  in  principle,  so  that  they  could  more  con 
scientiously  go  to  prison  than  give  any  countenance  to 
such  laws  by  voluntary  conformity  to  any  of  their  require 
ments,  —  the  laws  requiring  certificates  that  the}r  were  of 
the  Baptist  persuasion,  or  that  their  names  should  be  en 
tered  on  a  list  to  the  same  effect,  by  the  proper  authority. 
With  regard  to  the  period  we  are  now  considering,  we  see 


1  First  Baptist  church  in  Massachusetts,  in  Swansea,  1663.  One  in  Boston  as 
early  as  1665.  —  Benedict.  In  1737,  but  three  Baptist  churches  in  Massachusetts ; 
one  in  Swansea,  one  in  Boston,  one  in  South  Brimliekl.  —  Benedict.  Backus 
says  there  was  a  church  in  Sutton  in  1735,  though  it  afterward  went  down;  was, 
at  the  time  of  the  New- Light  stir,  turned  into  a  Separate  church.  AVhen  religion 
revived  in  1741,  there  were  but  nine  Baptist  churches  in  all  Massachusetts,  and 
none  in  New  Hampshire  and  Vermont.  — Backus.  There  was  an  Episcopal 
church  in  Boston  during  the  Andrus  administration,  1686-9.  —  Barry.  "The 
Methodists  made  their  appearance  in  the  Commonwealth  about  1720."  — Mass. 
Ecc.  Law,  p.  41. 

31* 


366  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

an  illustration  of  what  has  been  here  said  in  the  titles  of 
some  of  the  enactments  :  — 

"To  the  intent  that  the  Anabaptists  who  are  truly  such  may 
be  distinguished  from  those  who  pretend  to  be." 

To  see  the  same  thing  in  the  enactment  itself,  take  one 
for  1752:  — 

"To  exclude  all  Baptist  churches  from  power  to  give  legal  cer 
tificates,  until  they  obtain  certificates  from  three  other  Baptist 
churches  that  they  esteem  such  to  be  conscientiously  Anabap 
tist." 

The  Separate  churches,  which  had  adopted  immersion  as 
the  scriptural  mode  of  baptism,  had  not  generally  denied 
the  validity,  in  every  case,  of  infant  baptism  and  baptism 
by  sprinkling,  which  is,  perhaps,  the  meaning  of  Anabap 
tist.  The  regular  Baptist  churches  might  be  as  jealous  of 
these  Separate  Baptist  churches  as  the  regular  Congrega 
tional  churches  were.  So  it  is  plain  what  was  the  intention 
and  force  of  such  modifications  as  have  been  instanced  of 
the  original  exempting  laws. 

It  is  probable  that,  in  very  many  instances,  the  laws 
were  not  enforced  upon  Separates  who  refused  to  pay  taxes 
to  the  Standing  Order.  As,  in  many  churches  (Hardwick 
and  Westfield,  e.  g.),  church  discipline  to  the  extreme  of 
excommunication  was  not  enforced  upon  separating  mem 
bers  who  seemed  to  be  conscientious  in  their  views.  But 
there  were  instances  sufficient  to  make  manifest  the  animus 
of  the  taxing  laws  themselves,  at  least  as  re-enacted  from 
time  to  time.  When  enforced,  the  method  was  one,  hap 
pily,  unfamiliar  to  the  present  generation  in  this  country, 
but  then  familiar  in  many  relations  of  the  application  of  the 
civil  power  other  than  that  of  the  support  of  public  wor 
ship.  It  does  not  appear  that  the  Separates,  as  a  class, 


TAXING   LAWS   NOT  ALWAYS   ENFORCED.  367 

objected,  at  that  early  day,  to  the  laws  of  imprisonment 
for  just  debts,  but  they  did  object  to  laws  of  imprisonment 
for  refusing  to  pay  taxes  to  a  church  they  did  not  in  con 
science  approve,  —  laws  which  enforced  the  distraining,  in 
some  cases,  of  the  necessary  implements  of  household  ex 
istence,  for  such  taxes,  from  those  who  had  nothing  else 
the  law  could  get  hold  of.  In  the  records  of  the  Newint 
Separate  church  is  the  following  entry :  "  Joseph  Read 
confessed  the  wrong  he  had  done  in  paying  his  rates,  and 
the  church  forgave  him." 

Backus,  who  was  originally  a  regular  Congregationalist, 
then  a  Separate,  then  a  Baptist,  in  his  three-volume  ecclesias 
tical  history,  has  preserved  many  cases  of  much  hardship  in 
Massachusetts,  under  the  laws  requiring  the  support  of  the 
regular  Congregational  Society.  Among  these  sufferers 
were  a  few  instances  of  Separates,  and  many  instances  of 
those  who  from  Separates  became  Baptists.  Some  of  these 
suffered  according  to  law,  and  some  without  law.  There 
were  others  whom  the  laws  exempted,  but  they  could  not, 
as  they  alleged,  in  conscience  comply  with  the  conditions 
of  the  exempting  laws.  The  historian  of  Chelmsford  states 
that  all  separation  and  all  following  after  itinerants  and 
exhorters  were  effectually  repressed  there  by  church  disci 
pline.  In  many  places  the  Separates,  not  having  organ 
ized  their  church  regularly,  according  to  law,  were  harassed 
by  taxation  for  the  support  of  the  ministers  from  whom 
the}^  had  seceded.  At  last  the  system  of  annoyance  be 
came  too  tedious  to  be  continued  and  fell  into  disuse.1 

II.  LAWS  OF  VERMONT  RESPECTING  PUBLIC  WORSHIP.  — 
In  respect  of  imprisonment  or  any  other  corporeal  pun 
ishment  as  a  means  of  compelling  men  to  the  performance 

i  Tracy's  "  Great  Awakening,"  p.  417.    See  in  the  notes  at  the  end  of  this  vol- 


368  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

of  religious  duty,  Vermont  has  a  clean  record.  Before  the 
existence  of  the  State,  Christian  people  in  Bennington,  as 
we  have  seen,  organizing  the  first  church  in  what  afterward 
became  the  State  of  Vermont,  made  express  exception  to 
the  articles  in  the  Cambridge  Platform  which  affirm  the 
duty  of  the  civil  power  to  see  that  religious  matters  take 
proper  direction.  This  was  while  Massachusetts  was  re- 
enacting  her  exempting  laws  with  new  restrictions  to  force 
the  Separates  to  pay  taxes  to  the  Standing  Order,  and 
whilst  Connecticut  was  not  quite  through  with  imprisoning 
men  for  preaching  within  the  bounds  of  <5ther  men's  par 
ishes,  or  for  establishing  new  places  of  public  worship  with 
out  the  consent  of  the  old  ones. 

The  tax  of  six  dollars  on  each  of  the  sixty-three  rights  of 
land,  to  build,  not  only  the  school-house,  but,  also,  the 
meeting-house,  might  have  been  without  any  opposition 
from  any  of  the  proprietors.  Indeed,  whether  this  tax  was 
ever  collected  does  not  appear,  —  neither  does  anything 
appear  to  the  contrary,  only  a  subscription  list  for  building 
the  meeting-house  was  also  obtained.  For  the  further 
finishing  of  the  meeting-house,  in  1774,  or  at  least  toward 
it,  a  subscription  was  also  obtained.  The  moneys  from 
time  to  time  raised  upon  the  tax  lists  were  raised  from 
those  lists  only  which  were  voluntarily  brought  in  for  that 
purpose.  The  certificating  laws  in  force  for  seventeen 
years,  1783-1801,  came  the  nearest  to  compulsory  support 
of  public  religion.  These  required  every  tax-payer  to  help 
in  the  support  of  the  public  worship  favored  by  the  majority 
of  the  inhabitants,  who  could  not  bring  a  certificate,  signed 
by  the  minister,  or  deacon,  or  elders,  or  moderator  of  some 
meeting  of  another  persuasion,  that  the  tax-payer  named 
was  of  that  persuasion.  In  1801,  any  person  could  be  ex 
empted -from  taxation  for  religious  purposes  by  signing  a 
paper  on  the  records  of  the  town,  saying,  "I  dissent  from 


F1EST   CONSTITUTION.  369 

the  worship  of  the  majority."  In  1807,  even  this  require 
ment  was  abolished,1  and  ever  since  the  people  have  been 
free  to  support  the  public  worship  they  prefer,  or  none,  if 
they  so  prefer. 

The  article  on  religious  worship  in  the  first  constitution 
is  as  follows  :  — 

"That  all  men  have  a  natural  and  inalienable  right  to  worship 
Almighty  God  according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  consciences 
and  understandings,  regulated  by  the  word  of  God;  and  that  no 
man  ought,  or  of  right  can  be  compelled,  to  attend  any  religious 
worship,  or  erect  or  support  any  place  of  worship,  or  maintain  any 
minister  contrary  to  the  dictate  of  his  conscience ;  nor  can  any 
man  who  professes  the  Protestant  religion  be  justly  deprived  or 
abridged  of  any  civil  right  as  a  citizen  on  account  of  his  religious 
sentiment,  or  peculiar  mode  of  religious  worship ;  and  that  no  au 
thority  can  or  ought  to  be  vested  in,  or  assumed  by,  any  power 
whatsoever  that  shall  in  any  case  interfere  with,  or  in  any  manner 
control,  the  rights  of  conscience  in  the  free  exercise  of  religious 
worship;  nevertheless  every  sect  or  denomination  of  people  ought 
to  observe  the  Sabbath  or  Lord's  day,  and  keep  up  and  support 
some  sort  of  religious  worship,  which  to  them  shall  seem  most 
agreeable  to  the  will  of  God." 2 

In  the  first  constitution,  and  also  in  that  revised  by  the 
Council  of  Censors  in  1785,  the  following  declaration  is  re 
quired  of  the  members  of  the  House  of  Representatives  :  — 

"  I  do  believe  in  one  God,  the  Creator  and  Governor  of  the  uni 
verse,  the  rewarder  of  the  good  and  punisher  of  the  wicked.  And 
I  do  acknowledge  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments  to 
be  given  by  divine  inspiration ;  and  own  and  profess  the  Protest 
ant  religion." 

In  the  revised  constitution,  adopted  in  convention  at 
Windsor,  in  793,  this  clause  was  omitted. 

1  See  Tolman's  Revised  Statutes,  1808. 

2  Article  3,  in  Declaration  of  Rights  in  the  first  constitution,  adopted  in  general 
convention  at  Windsor,  1777,  never  presented  to  the  people  to  be  ratified,  but  de 
clared  to  have  the  force  of  law  by  the  General  Assembly  at  Bennington,  1779. 


370  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  public  sentiment  and  understanding  with  regard  to 
the  liberty  in  this  State  respecting  religion  —  though  not 
exactly  in  accordance  with  the  legislation  of  the  State  prior 
to  1801  —  was  thus  stated  by  Dr.  Williams,  in  his  history, 
published  in  1794  :  — 

"  To  leave  every  man  a  full  and  perfect  liberty  to  follow  the  dic 
tates  of  his  own  conscience  in  all  his  transactions  with  Ins  Maker." 
"  The  people  of  Vermont  have  adopted  this  principle  in  its  fullest 
extent."  "  It  is  not  barely  toleration,  but  equality,  which  the  peo 
ple  aim  at."  "That  all  denominations  shall  enjoy  equal  liberty, 
without  any  legal  distinction  or  pre-eminence  whatever."  "  The 
people  are  under  no  obligation  to  support  any  teachers  but  what 
they  choose  to  lay  themselves  under." 

It  is  absurd  to  ascribe  the  sole  agency  in  a  great  step  of 
progress  in  civilization  to  any  set  of  men.  Time  prepares 
beforehand  for  its  own  changes.  The  reformers,  so  called, 
are  but  in  advance  of  others  in  taking  up,  and  giving  ex 
pression  to,  the  new  convictions  which  generations  have 
been  slowly  preparing  for.  It  is  the  glory  of  reformers  to 
be  before  others  in  discerning  the  advancing  light,  or  in  so 
feeling  the  force  of  the  truth  as  to  be  constrained  to  utter 
it,  to  maintain  it,  when  thejr  have  to  do  so  alone,  and  even 
in  the  face  of  obloquy  and  persecution,  because  others  do 
not  see,  or  will  not  accept,  the  truth.  So  high  a  distinc 
tion  with  regard  to  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  this  coun 
try  deserves  to  be  shared,  among  others,  by  the  Separates, 
of  whom  our  Bennington  pioneers  were  among  the  best 
examples. 


CHURCH  MEMBERS  AND    THE   ELECTIVE   FRANCHISE.       371 


NOTES  ON  CHAPTEES  IV.  AND  XXVIII. 

I.  THE  HALFWAY  COVENANT.  —  By  the  halfway  covenant  per 
sons  could  be,  and  were,  admitted  to  the  church  without  professing 
a  change  of  heart,  indeed,  while  professing  not  to  have  experienced 
this  change,  —  such  persons  to  come  to  the  communion  or  not,  as 
their  duty  should  appear  to  themselves.1  But  all  were  required  to 
assent  to  a  covenant  otherwise  strict,  and  to  bring  their  children 
to  be  baptized.  The  halfway-covenant  members  were  capable  of 
the  elective  franchise,  and  eligible  to  office  where  church  member 
ship  was  a  requisite.2 

"The  effect  of  this  method  of  proceeding  in  the  churches  in 
New  England  which  have  fallen  into  it  i«  actually  this.  There  are 
some  who  are  received  into  these  churches  under  the  notion  of 
their  being  in  the  judgment  of  rational  charity  visible  saints,  who 
yet  at  the  same  time  are  actually  .  .  .  ,  such  as  freely  and  fre 
quently  acknowledge  that  they  do  not  profess  to  be  as  yet  born 
again,  but  look  on  themselves  as  really  unconverted  .  .  .  ;  and, 
accordingly,  it  is  known  all  over  the  town  where  they  live,  that 
they  make  no  pretension  to  any  sanctifying  grace  already  attained ; 

i  "  Also  that  it  is  your  full  purpose  to  obey  God  in  the  ordinance  of  the  Holy 
Supper  as  God  shall  give  you  light  and  show  you  his  ivill  herein."  —  Cont.  Ecc. 
Hist.  Conn.,  p.  411. 

-  This  law,  making  "free  burgesses  "  of  church  members  only,  ceased  in  the 
New  Haven  colony  by  the  merging  of  the  colony  with  Hartford,  Windsor,  and 
Weathersfield  in  that  of  Connecticut,  under  the  charter  of  Charles  II.,  in  1662. 

By  the  charter  of  Massachusetts  colony  (March  4,  1629)  the  governor  and  as 
sistants  were  empowered  to  say  who  should  be  freemen ;  in  1631,  this  privilege  of 
freemen  was  limited  to  church  members.  The  rule  appears  to  have  been  strictly 
enforced  until  1647,  when  some  others  beside  church  members  might  have  the 
privilege  of  voting  in  some  cases  in  the  towns.  In  1660,  we  find  the  original  rigor 
again  enacted  in  all  its  completeness  by  law;  in  1664,  the  law  was  repealed  and 
certain  others  beside  church  members  admitted  to  the  privileges  of  freemen,  but 
so  that  very  serious  inequality  existed  still  between  church  members  and  non- 
church  members.  In  1G84,  the  colony  charter  was  annulled,  and  probably  the  in 
equality  of  the  law  of  1064  between  church  members  and  non-church  members 
then  ceased.  All  such  inequality  was  removed  by  the  coming  into  force  of  the 
Province  charter  in  1692,  which  made  all  freeholders,  etc.,  voters;  by  which,  as 
Bancroft  says,  "in  civil  affairs,  the  freedom  of  the  colony.no  longer  restricted  to 
the  members  of  the  church,  was  extended  so  widely  as  to  be  in  a  practical  sense 
nearly  universal." 


372  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

nor,  of  consequence,  are  they  commonly  looked  upon  as  any  other 
than  unconverted  persons."  l 

"  In  such  churches  (halfway  covenant)  neither  their  publicly 
saying  that  they  avouch  God  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost  to  be 
their  God,  and  that  they  give  themselves  up  to  him,  and  promise  to  obey 
all  his  commands,  nor  their  coming  to  the  Lord's  Supper,  or  to 
any  other  ordinances,  are  taken  for  expressions  or  signs  of  any 
thing  belonging  to  the  essence  of  Christian  piety.  But,  on  the 
contrary,  the  public  doctiine,  principle,  and  custom  in  such 
churches,  establishes  a  diverse  use  of  these  words  and  signs. 
People  are  taught  that  they  may  use  them  all,  and  not  so  much  as 
make  any  pretence  to  the  least  degree  of  sanctifying  grace,  and  this 
is  the  established  custom.  So  they  are  used,  and  so  they  are  un 
derstood."  2 

"  But  the  fifth  of  those  propositions  (seven  propositions  affirmed 
by  the  majority  of  the  Synod  of  1662)  reaffirmed  and  commended 
to  the  churches  the  crude  expedient  of  the  halfway  covenant.  It 
did  not  merely  provide  that  baptized  persons  growing  up  in  the 
church  with  blameless  character,  and  without  any  overt  denial  of 
the  faith  in  which  they  were  nurtured,  might  offer  their  children 
for  baptism  without  being  required  to  demand  and  obtain  at  the 
same  time  the  privilege  of  full  communion ;  but  it  also  provided 
that  such  persons,  as  a  condition  preliminary  to  the  baptism  of 
their  children,  should  make  a  certain  public  profession  of  Christian 
faith  and  Christian  obedience,  including  a  formal  covenant  with 
God  and  with  the  church,  which,  at  the  same  time,  was  to  be  un 
derstood  as  implying  no  profession  of  any  Christian  experience. 
.  .  .  The  latter  was  a  grave  theological  error  hardening  and 
establishing  itself  in  the  form  of  an  ecclesiastical  system."3 

"It  was  what  Davenport  called  the  <  parish  way,' —  a  system 
under  which  the  local  .church,  as  a  covenanting  brotherhood  of 
souls,  renewed  by  the  experience  of  God's  grace,  was  to  be  merged 
in  the  parish ;  and  all  persons  of  good  moral  character  living  with 
in  the  parochial  bounds  were  to  have,  as  in  England  and  Scotland, 
the  privilege  of  baptism  for  their  households  and  of  access  to  the 
Lord's  table."4 

1  Edwards'  Qualifications  for  Communion,  Part  in.,  Obj.  15. 

2  Edwards'  Qualifications  for  Communion,  Part  n.,  Sec.  1. 

3  Dr.  Bacon,  in  Cont.  Ecc.  Hist.  Conn.,  pp,  21,  22. 

4  Ibid.,  pp.  28,  29. 


SPREAD    OF   THE   HALFWAY  COVENANT.  373 

The  effect  of  the  prevaleucy  of  this  system  is  stated  by  a  writer 
in  the  "Vermont  Evangelical  Magazine,"  August,  1815,  as  fol 
lows  :  "  The  engagements  which  were  assumed  were  extensive 
and  solemn,  and  were  at  first  probably  made  with  much  serious 
ness.  But  the  whole  soon  became  an  idle  ceremony,  which  fashion 
so  imperiously  required  all,  generally  upon  their  marriage,  to  ob 
serve,  that  the  omission  was  deemed  highly  indecorous  and  almost 
inconsistent  with  a  reputable  standing  in  society.  The  prescribed 
formality  having  been  heedlessly  submitted  to,  nothing  more  was 
anticipated  or  exacted.  Individuals  having  gained  a  sort  of  rela- 
^[011  to  the  church,  and  the  privilege  of  baptism  for  their  children, 
became  satisfied  with  themselves,  and  neither  saw  nor  felt  the  ne 
cessity  of  anything  beyond  the  customary  and  heartless  attendance 
upon  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath." 

A  citation  or  two  will  show  the  influence  of  this  system  upon 
the  piety  of  the  clergy.  Dr.  Chauncey,  in  his  "  Reasonable 
Thoughts  on  the  State  of  Religion  in  New  England,"  declared, 
"  Conversion  does  not  appear  to  be  alike  necessary  for  ministers 
in  their  public  capacity  as  officers  of  the  church,1  as  it  is  in  their 
private  capacity."  Tracy,  in  his  "  Great  Awakening,"  says,  "  Col 
leges  received  young  men,  without  even  the  appearance  of  piety,  to 
prepare  for  the  ministry ;  if  graduates  were  found  to  possess  com 
petent  knowledge,  and  were  neither  heretical  nor  scandalous,  their 
piety  was  taken  for  granted,  and  they  were  ordained  of  course."2 
"  The  extensively  prevailing  views  of  regeneration  as  a  work  at 
tended  by  no  ascertainable  evidence  discouraged  all  questioning 
concerning  a  minister's  spiritual  state." 3 

A  movement  to  obtain  approbation  of  this  system  with  some 
other  things  in  a  New  England  Synod  took  place  as  far  back  as 
1G57.4  A  Massachusetts  Synod,  in  1662,  went  a  little  further,  in 
giving  the  system  an  authoritative  introduction  into  this  country. 
"  The  church  at  New  Haven,  I  suspect,  yielded  at,  or  soon  after, 
the  ordination  of  Mr.  Pierpont  in  1684.  Near  the  close  of  the  cen 
tury,  when  Haynes  and  Whiting  had  been  succeeded  by  Wood- 
bridge  in  the  First  Church  (Hartford),  and  Buckingham  in  the 
Second,  we  find  both  pastors  and  both  churches  united  in  the  half- 

1  "Ordinations  in  1759  occasioned  so  much  'feasting,  jollity,  and  revelling,' 
that  the  Council  addressed  the  clergy  a  circular  on  the  subject."  — Mass.  Ecc, 
Law,  p.  23. 

2, 3  ibid.,  pp.  393,  394.  4  Cont.  Ecc.  Hist.,  Conn.,  p.  19. 

32 


374  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

way  covenant  method  of  church  discipline.  The  principles  of  the 
Synod  of  1662  were  for  the  time  victorious  throughout  New 
England." l  In  1704  the  Rev.  Solomon  Stoddard,  of  Northampton, 
Mass,  (the  grandfather  of  Pres.  Edwards  the  elder,  and  with 
whom  at  length  Mr.  Edwards  became  colleague  pastor  in  the  same 
church),  when  he  had  been  in  the  ministry  at  Northampton  thirty- 
two  years,  eminently  respected,  declared  himself  "of  the  opinion 
that  unconverted  persons,  considered  as  such,  had  a  right  in  the 
sight  of  God,  or  by  his  appointment,  to  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
Supper ;  that  thereby  it  was  their  duty  to  come  to  that  ordinance, 
though  they  knew  they  had  no  true  goodness  or  evangelical  holii 
ness.  He  maintained  that  visible  Christianity  does  not  consist  in 
a  profession  or  appearance  of  that  wherein  true  holiness  or  real 
Christianity  consists;  that. therefore  the  profession  which  persons 
make  in  order  to  be  received  as  visible  members  of  Christ's  church, 
ought  not  to  be  such  as  to  express  or  imply  a  real  compliance 
with,  or  consenting  to,  the  terms  of  this  covenant  of  grace,  or  a 
hearty  embracing  of  the  gospel;  so  that  they  who  really  reject 
Jesus  Christ  and  dislike  the  gospel  way  of  salvation  in  their  hearts 
and  know  that  this  is  true  of  themselves,  may  make  the  profession 
without  lying  and  hypocrisy,"  2  on  the  principle  that  they  regard 
the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  as  a  converting  ordinance,  and 
partake  of  it  with  the  hope  of  conversion.  "We  must  remember 
that  the  practice  of  admitting  to '  the  communion  all  persons, 
neither  heretical  nor  scandalous,  was  general  in  the  Presbyterian 
church,  and  prevailed  extensively  among  the  Congregational 
churches."3  If  we  place  the  time  of  the  first  foothold  of  this 
system  as  early  as  1657,  we  shall  find  it  not  wholly  disappearing 
from  the  Orthodox  Congregational  churches  of  New  England  for 
more  than  a  century  and  a  half.  Erom  the  church  in  Huntington, 
Conn,  (from  whose  halfway  covenant  a  quotation  is  introduced 
into  these  pages),  it  did  not  disappear  until  1817.  The  Rev.  He- 
man  Humphrey  was  ordained  in  Eairfield,  Conn.,  March  16,  1807. 
"  He  found  a  state  of  things  in  Fairfield  in  regard  to  spiritual 
religion  that  seemed  to  him  to  call  loudly  for  reform.  In  addition 
to  the  fact  that  such  a  thing  as  family  prayer  was  scarcely  known 
in  the  church,  there  was  nothing  that  he'considered  as  amounting 

1  Dr.  Bacon,  Cont.  Ecc.  Hist.,  Conn.,  p.  29. 

2  Quoted  from  Dr.  Hopkins  in  the  Memoirs  of  President  Edwards. 

3  Great  Awakening,  p.  391. 


DR.  CUAUNCEY'S  BOOK.  375 

to  a  confession  of  faith ;  and  there  was  the  halfway  covenant,  which 
he  regarded  as  nothing  better  than  an  organized  provision  for 
uniting  the  church  and  the  world.  The  two  latter  difficulties  he 
looked  upon  as  entering  vitally  into  the  economy  of  the  church ; 
and  he  therefore  made  the  removal  of  them  a  condition  of  his 
accepting  the  call;  and  the  church,  without  much  hesitation, 
acceded  to  his  proposals."  l  The  spread  and  influence  of  the  half 
way  covenant  probably  culminated  about  1740,  or  the  time  of  the 
commencement  of  "The  Great  Awakening;"  at  that  time  it  had 
borne  fruit  "  after  its  kind"  in  a  wide-spread  and  deep-rooted  for 
malism  in  the  churches;  and,  as  we  shall  see  in  another  place,  in 
a  fearful  enlistment  of  the  civil  power  in  resistance  to  the  "  New- 
Light  "  men  and  measures  that  sought  its  overthrow. 

A  curious  fact,  illustrating  the  extent  to  which  this  false  system 
became  entrenched  in  society,  is  the  book  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Chauncey? 
well  known  to  have  been  prepared  in  opposition  to  the  great 
religious  revival  then  in  progress.  The  friends  of  the  prevailing 
spirit  of  religious  society,  and  who  were  opposed  to  the  "  New- 
Light  "  movement,  were  quicksighted  to  see  whither  this  awaken 
ing  would  tend ;  and  the  book  referred  to  appeared  upon  the  arena 
in  their  behalf.  "'A  Treatise  in  five  parts  :  1.  Faithfully  pointing 
out  the  things  of  a  bad  and  dangerous  tendency  in  the  late  and 
present  religious  appearances  in  the  land,  etc.,  etc.;  by  Charles 
Chauncey,  D.D.,  pastor  of  the  First  Church  of  Christ  in  Boston 
1743,"  —  a  book  of  four  hundred  and  twenty-four  pages  with  a  pref 
ace  of  thirty  pages  beside.  With  the  book  was  bound  up,  as  was 
usual  in  those  days,  a  list  of  subscribers.  This  list  contains  over 
one  thousand  names,  headed  conspicuously  with  His  Excellency 
William  Shirley,  Esq.,  captain-general  and  governor-in-chief  over 
His  Majesty's  Province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  in  New  England? 
for  six;  the  Hon.  Jonathan  Law,  Esq.,  governor  of  the  colony  of 
Connecticut;  the  Hon.  Richard  Ward,  Esq.,  governor  of  the 
colony  of  Rhode  Island  and  Providence  Plantations ;  and  so  on 
ward  into  the  body  of  the  list,  —  a  proportion  of  honorables  and 
reverends,  and  esquires,  truly  formidable,  —  in 'accordance  with 
what  is  known  to  be  the  fact  that,  to  a  great  extent  at  that  time, 
the  influence  and  learning  and  rank  in  the  country  was  on  the 
side  of  the  halfway  covenant  and  hostile  to  the  reformation. 

1  Dr.  Sprague's  notice  of  the  Eev.  Dr.  Humphrey,  President  of  Amherst  Col 
lege,  etc.,  in  "  New  York  Observer"  for  May  7,  1808. 


376  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

II.  SPECIAL  CASES  OF  HARDSHIP  UNDER  THE  LAWS  OF  MASSA 
CHUSETTS  RESPECTING  PUBLIC  WORSHIP. — In  1744,  Mr.  Paine,  of 
Connecticut,  for  preaching  at  Woodstock,  in  Massachusetts,  with 
in  the  bounds  of  another  minister's  parish,  was  imprisoned  at 
Worcester,  but  the  Worcester  Court  discharged  him  as  being  im 
prisoned  without  law. 

The  Sturbridge  case  is  repeatedly  adduced  by  Backus.  It  was 
doubtless  an  extreme  case,  and  its  repeated  introduction  would 
lead  us  to  infer  that  it  had  not  any  other  cases  parallel  to  it.  It 
will,  however,  so  well  illustrate  some  of  the  hardships  which  the 
Separates  were  liable  to  endure,  it  shall  be  cited  here,  as  given 
in  the  appendix  to  the  "  Life  and  Times  of  Isaac  Backus,"  by  Hovey 
(p.  329),  —  or  rather,  portions  of  that  version  of  the  affair  shall  be 
given.  "  From  the  testimony  of  Henry  Fisk,  we  learn  that  a  New- 
Light  Church  was  organized  in  Sturbridge  on  the  10th  of  Nov., 
1747.  The  next  year  John  Blunt  was  ordained.pastor.  A  petition 
to  be  exempted  from  taxes  to  support  the  'regular  minister'  was 
laid  before  the  town  by  the  members  of  this  church ;  but  their  re 
quest  was  denied.  On  the  26th  of  May,  1748,  a  great  part 
of  the  town  got  together,  and  laying  hold  of  two  brethren  who 
came  from  other  places  (to  attend  the  New-Light  meeting)  drew 
them  in  a  hostile  manner  out  of  town.  About  this  time  some 
others  were  seized  for  rates,  paid  them  privately  and  were  set  at 
liberty.  As  they  went  on  to  rate  us  from  year  to  year,  contrary 

to  the  royal  act  of  indulgence  and  the  Province  laws 

they  stripped  the  pewter  from  the  shelves  of  such  as  had  it ;  and 
they  took  away  skillets,  kettles,  pots,  and  warming-pans  from 
those  who  had  it  (the  pewter)  not.  Others  they  deprived  of  the 
means  by  which  they  got  their  bread ;  namely,  workmen's  tools 
and  spinning-wheels.  They  drove  away  geese  and  swine  from  the 
doors  of  others.  From  some  who  had  COWTS  they  took  one  or 
more  of  them ;  from  some  who  had  but  one,  they  took  that 
away.  They  took  a  yoke  of  oxen  from  one,  and  they  thrust  some 
into  prison,  where  they  suffered  a  long  and  tedious  imprisonment. 
One  brother  was  called  from  us,  ordained  pastor  of  a  Baptist 
church,  and  came  for  his  family,  at  which  time  they  seized  and  drew 
him  away,  and  thrust  him  into  prison,  where  he  was  kept  in  the 
cold  winter  till  somebody  paid  the  money  and  let  him  out.  A  few 
specifications  are  condensed  from  the  records  of  the  church  kept 
by  Henry  Fisk,  clerk.  In  1750  a  spinning-wheel  was  taken  from 


OPPRESSION  OF  SEPARATES. 


377 


A.  Bloice  ;  five  pewter  plates  from  D.  Fiske ;  a  cow  from  J.  Pike  ; 
a  trammel,  andirons,  shovel  and  tongs  from  John  Blunt;  a  cradle 
from  J.  Terry;  goods  from  John  Streeter;  household  goods  from 
Benjamin  Robins,  and  also  from  H.  Fisk;  a  cow  from  David 
Morse;  goods  from  Phineas  Collar  and  from  John  Newell;  and 
during  the  same  year  John  Corey,  J.  Barstow,  Josiah  Perry,  Na 
thaniel  Smith,  and  David  Morse  were  imprisoned  for  ministerial 

rates "A  narrative  of  cases,  persons,  and  particulars 

of  hardship  at  a  subsequent  period  of  this  church's  history  is  also 
given ;  but  let  this  suffice.  Somewhere  about  1750  this  became  a 
Baptist  church. 

Two  or  three  other  cases  of  oppression  of  Separates  shall  be  given. 
They  are  cited  from  Backus'  three-volume  history.  "  And  among 
the  many  instances  that  discovered  how  tenacious  our  oppressors 
were  of  their  taxing  power  to  support  worship,  take  the  follow 
ing  :  Esther  White,  of  Raynham,  had  a  small  interest  left  her,  for 
which  she  was  taxed  eight  pence  to  the  parish  minister,  from 
which  she  had  withdrawn  four  years,  and  she  seriously  declared  it 
was  against  her  conscience  to  pay  it.  Therefore  for  no  more  than 
that  sum  she  was  seized  Feb.  28,  1752,  and  was  imprisoned  at 
Taunton  until  March,  1753,  when  said  minister's  own  people  were 
constrained  to  go  and  release  her,  without  her  paying  any  acknowl 
edgment  to  that  taxing  power.  She  soon  after  became  a  Baptist, 
and  continued  to  give  abiding  evidence  of  true  piety  until  she 
died  in  peace  in  1774. J  "  The  case  of  Framingham,  twenty-five 
miles  west  of  Boston,  affords  another  demonstration  of  the  iniquity 
of  supporting  ministers  by  tax  and  compulsion.  The  Hon. 
Edward  Goddard,  Esq.,  formerly  one  of  the  council  of  this  prov 
ince,  with  other  fathers  of  that  town,  could  not  concur  with  the 
majority  in  the  settlement  of  a  minister,  and  by  the  advice  of 
other  ministers  they  became  an  organized  church  by  themselves 
in  1747,  and  wanted  nothing  but  the  sanction  of  the  civil  power  to 
make  them  as  regular  and  orthodox  a  religious  society  in  civil  law 
as  any  others  were.  But  as  they  were  zealous  friends  of  the  late 
revival  of  religion,  such  an  incorporation  was  denied  them.  And 
they  had  been  all  taxed  to  a  minister  they  never  chose  for  six 
years  "  (before  a  publication  on  the  subject  quoted  in  the  appen 
dix  to  vofr  i.).  "  Three  years  after,  their  minister  left  them,  and 

i  Vol.  ii.,  p.  194. 
32* 


378  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

a  Baptist  society  was  formed  among  them."    The  following  lines 
are  credited  by  Backus  to  this  Hon.  Edward  Goddard,  Esq.. l 

"  Good  conscience  men  allow,  they  say, 

But  must  be  understood  • 

To  say  as  they  themselves  do  say, 
Or  else  it  can't  be  good." 

"In  a  place  called  Titicut,  upon  the  river  between  Bridgewater 
and  Middleborough,  a  powerful  work  was  wrought  in  and  after 
the  year  1741."  "  After  Titicut  precinct  was  constituted,  in  Feb., 
1743,  ministers  refused  to  dismiss  the  communicants  therein,  so 
as  to  form  a  new  church,  lest  they  should  call  a  minister  whom 
they  did  not  approve  of.  They  were  thus  denied  the  right  which 
both  the  laws  of  God  and  man  allowed  them,  until  the  brethren 
determined  not  to  be  restrained  by  such  tyranny  any  longer,  but 
came  out  and  began  to  worship  by  themselves  on  Dec.  13,  1747. 
A  church  was  formed  Feb.  16,  1748,  which  increased  to  three 
score  members  in  ten  mouths.  But  the  opposite  party  met  in 
March,  and  voted  a  large  sum  of  money  to  finish  their  meeting 
house,  and  to  hire  other  sort  of  preaching,  and  assessed  it  upon 
all  the  inhabitants.  Therefore,  our  society,  on  Nov.  21,  drew  up 
an  address  to  them,"  —  which  was  answered;  "and  they"  — 
the  respondents  — " went  so  far  as  to  call  it  'gross  ignorance 
and  enthusiasm'  for  any  to  deny  that  Christian  rulers  have  a  right 
to  compel  their  subjects  to  receive  and  support  orthodox  minis 
ters.  And  Feb.  G,  1749,  the  author"  (Mr.  Backus)  "was  seized 
as  a  prisoner  for  thirteen  shillings  and  four  pence  assessed  upon 
him  in  said  tax.  But,  as  he  refused  to  pay  it,  they,  after  about 
three  hours'  confinement  of  him,  settled  it  among  themselves. 
This  was  the  best  rewrard  they  offered  him  for  preaching  two 
months  at  their  request." 2  "  One  of  his  brethren  was  imprisoned 
at  Plymouth  for  said  tax.  But,  when  distress  was  made  upon 
another  of  his"  (Mr.  Backus')  "hearers,  they  were  prosecuted 
therefor,  and  it  was  found  upon  trial  that  said  money  was  voted 
at  an  illegal  meeting.  They  therefore  appealed  to  the  Superior 
Court;  and  in  the  mean  time,  Dec.  14,  1749,  procured  an  act  of  the 
Legislature,  which  says,  '  That  the  proceedings  of  the  meeting, 

1  Ib.,  p.  195. 

2  See  this  case  spread  out  at  large  and  more  intelligibly  in  Hovey's  Life  and 
Times  of  Backus,  pp.  67-71. 


CONCLUDING   HEM  ARKS    ON  SEPARATISM.  379 

• 

mentioned  in  the  petition  be,  and  they  hereby  are,  held  and 
deemed  good  and  valid  in  law,  the  defect  of  the  notification,  call 
ing  said  meeting,  to  the  contrary  notwithstanding.'  And,  by  vir- 
*tue  of  said  act,  the  case  was  turned  against  the  appellee  in  the 
next  trial ;  which  shows  that  a  worship  supported  by  tax  is  par 
tiality  established  by  la\v." l 

III.  CONCLUDING  REMARKS  ON  SEPARATISM.  —  Separatism 
played  an  important  part  in  probably  the  most  profound  religious 
movement  hitherto  in  this  country.  The  depth  of  the  movement 
appears  in  the  fact  that  it  embraced  and  agitated  the  whole 
country.  To  New  England,  at  large,  it  was  what  the  local  revival 
is  to  a  neighborhood  or  town.  It  was  natural  that  such  a  move 
ment  should  develop  a  party  of  revolution,  and  an  antagonist 
party  of  avowed  and  heated  conservatism.  It  is  not  difficult  to 
see,  from  the  circumstances  of  the  origin  of  the  party  of  reforma 
tion,  that  there  would  be  some  rudeness  as  well  as  force  in  it. 
In  putting  forth  the  energy  such  exigencies  require,  human  na 
ture  is  not  apt  to  stop  before,  in  its  vehemence,  it  sometimes  slips 
beyond  the  safe  limit  of  law  and  order.  It  becomes  more  intent 
upon  the  object  than  it  is  upon  the  character  of  the  means  by 
which  to  accomplish  the  object.  Festering  corruption  within  is 
compatible  with  much  precision  of  outward  manners,  which  re 
formers,  who  set  themselves  against  the  corruptions  of  aristo 
cratic  classes,  come  into  opposition  to.  Such  a  thing  has  been  as 
declension  in  piety  and  justice,  even  when  ecclesiastical  institu 
tions,  human  learning,  and  civil  government  of  a  high  order  are 
enjoyed;  and  when  there  is  such  declension,  they  who  rise  up  as 
the  leaders  of  reformation  are  tempted  to  undervalue  these  great 
blessings.  This  was  true  of  the  Separatists  of  the  seventeenth 
century  in  Old  England,  and  of  those  of  the  eighteenth  century  in 
New  England.  We  see  this  cropping  out  sometimes  in  the  Ben- 
nington  church,  though  always  in  the  final  action  of  the  church 
overborne  by  moderate  counsels.  We  see  the  same  thing  in  the 
struggles  of  Vermont  for  State  sovereignty,  and  in  conjunction 
with  other  States  for  a  national  existence  in  opposition  to  the 
mother  country.  Patriotism,  the  purpose  of  manly  independence, 
was  too  much  on  fire  to  think  just  then  of  furnishing  to  the  world 
models  of  legal  precision,  and  refinement  in  manners.  Hence 
i  Vol.  ii.,  pp.  205-208. 


380  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

• 

some  features  of  barbarity  in  the  first  essayings  of  this  State  at 
legislation,  soon,  however,  pointed  out  by  wise  statesmen  in  the 
Commonwealth,  and  soon  removed.  Hence,  too,  so  much  was 
energetically  accomplished  in  the  early  history  of  the  settlers 
toward  order  and  independence,  with  only  a  modicum  of  legis 
lation,  as  is  amply  illustrated  by  what  is  preserved  to  us  of  the 
records  of  the  Council  of  Safety,—  "the  greatest  political  curi 
osity,"  says  Gov.  Slade,  "which  the  history  of  Vermont  can 
furnish." l 

Moreover,  while  many  would  be  attracted  to  the  general  move 
ment  of  Separatism,  because  of  its  energy  in  reformation,  others 
would  join  the  Separates  from  less  pure  motives.  Backus  says, 
"  Such  evils  had  been  practised  under  the  name  of  learning, 
orthodoxy,  and  regularity,  that  many  were  prejudiced  against  the 
truth  by  what  others  falsely  called  by  those  names.  Christian 
liberty  had  been  so  invaded  that  many  ran  into  licentiousness  to 
avoid  tyranny.  The  right  which  the  gospel  gives  to  every  saint 
freely  to  improve  their  several  gifts  for  mutual  edification  had 
been  so  much  denied,  that  frequent  instances  were  now  seen  of 
persons  putting  themselves  forward  in  exercises  which  they  had 
not  a  gift  for,  being  so  earnest  to  maintain  the  liberty  of  speaking 
as  not  duly  to  regard  others'  right  of  judging."  2  The  Separates 
were  derided  for  their  uneducated  ministry.  President  Edwards 
complained  of  their  extravagance,  self-conceit,  and  zeal  without 
knowledge,  —  particularly  of  their  exhorters,  —  and  of  their 
preaching  without  license. 

The  duty  or  wisdom  of  "  separating  "  remains  an  open  ques 
tion  ;  how  far,  in  what  manner,  and  when,  if  at  all,  the  minority 
or  the  aggrieved  party  is  to  go  out,  and  organize  a  separate  wor 
ship  under  the  plea  that  they  cannot  in  conscience  any  longer 
countenance  the  old  church  in  its  errors  by  remaining  in  it.3  It  is 
not  the  desire  of  the  writer  of  these  pages,  in  the  case  of  the  Mas 
sachusetts  and  Connecticut  Separates,  to  say,  whether,  under  their 
circumstances  even,  Separatism  was  the  best  conceivable  method 
of  promoting  all  needed  reformation. 

It  must,  however,  be  apparent  that,  as  compared  with  any  tame 
acquiescence  in  the  growing  evils  in  the  churches,  the  Separates 

l  State  Papers,  p.  197.  2  Vol.  n.,  p.  185. 

3  See  some  remarks  upon  this  question  in  the  Preface  to  the  Cambridge  Plat 
form. 


SEPARATISM  AN  OPEN   QUESTION.  381 

arc  to  have  our  approbation.  They  exerted  an  energetic  influence 
for  important  reforms  which  in  a  sequel  of  remarkable  success 
may  be  seen  and  read  of  all  men. 

It  is  to  be  remembered  that  the  persecuting  civil  and  religious 
power,  and  the  unfriendly  sentiment  arrayed  against  the  Separates, 
were  in  support  of  an  innovation  upon  the  Puritan  principles  and 
practice.1  The  halfway-covenant  practice  too  nearly  resembled 
the  custom  of  the  old  country,  which  the  primitive  settlers  of  New 
England  had  intentionally  left  behind, —  not  without  sacrifice. 
Strange  to  say,  the  doctrinal  standards  in  the  churches  which 
adopted  the  halfway  covenant  had  not  been  modified  to  suit  it. 
The  articles  of  faith  of  the  Cambridge  Platform,  and  of  the  Assem 
bly's  Catechism,  were  in  form  neither  altered  nor  repudiated.  The 
doctrinal  formula  was  as  sharp  a  statement  as  ever  of  the  doctrine 
of  regeneration. 

So  far  as  Separatism  involved  denunciation  of  the  Standing  Or 
der  churches  as  no  true  churches  of  Christ,  in  our  opinion  it  was 
wrong.  That  in  all  cases  the  Separates  were  innocent  of  disre 
garding  the  rights  and  feelings  of  others,  it  is  not  here  attempted 
to  maintain.  They,  in  -many  instances,  perhaps,  refused  to  those 
from  whom  they  came  out  the  same  right  of  private  judgment 
and  liberty  of  conscience  which  they  demanded  for  themselves. 
It  is  the  want  of  discrimination  and  charity  in  condemning  others 
which  is  wrong.  The  Separates  were  not  by  any  means  entirely 
innocent  of  this.  Those  especially  who  continued  in  the  same 
place  with  the  old  church  from  which  they  had  separated  had  a 
great  temptation  to  uncharitableness.  On  the  contrary,  so  far  as 
the  Standing  Order  churches  assumed  that  the  Separates  were  not 
responsible  to  judge  for  themselves  whether  they  could  best  wor 
ship  God  in  a  Separate  organization,  the  Standing  Order  was 
wrong.  As  to  the  question  of  the  mutual  fellowship  of  neighbor 
ing  churches,  —  how  intimate  it  shall  be,  —  it  must  be  decided  very 
much  by  the  circumstances.  It  has  been  well  settled,  and  prob 
ably  will  remain  so.  that  no  party  shall  be  compulsorily  taxed  for 
support  of  one  religious  society  when  there  is  another  accessible 
which  is  preferred.  This  has  now  of  along  time  been  settled  this 
side  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  though  only  just  beginning  to  be  ac 
cepted  in  the  mother  country.  It  has  also  been  settled  with  us  now 

1  See  Preface  to  Cambridge  Platform. 


382  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

a  good  while  that  no  party  shall  be  taxed  against  his  consent  for 
the  support  of  any  religious  society  whatever ;  and  this,  too,  is  well. 

President  Edwards,  in  some  passages  of  his  writings,  appears  to 
disapprove  the  course  of  the  Separates  in  separating ;  and,  yet,  in 
other  passages  to  justify  them.1  He  certainly  disapproved  the 
course  of  the  majority,  whensoever  it  sought  to  restrain  the  Sep 
arates  by  civil  penalties  or  ecclesiastical  discipline.  There  were 
some  distinct  results  of  reformation  accomplished,  which  the  Sep 
arates  had  the  perspicacity  to  see,  and  the  spirit  to  demand,  in 
advance  of  the  most  zealous  and  spiritual,  who,  like  President 
Edwards,  preferred  to  remain  with  the  old  churches.  President 
Edwards  received  his  first  convictions  of  the  unscripturaluess  of 
the  halfway  covenant  through  the  Separates.2 

On  the  whole,  the  conclusion  is  forced  upon  us  that  Separatism, 
with  other  causes  added,  was,  by  the  overruling  providence  of 
God  made  largely  promotive  of  the  interests  of  mankind. 

Briefly  to  sum  up  the  results :  They  were  in  sympathy  with  and 
did  much  to  promote  a  revival  acknowledged  on  all  hands  to  be 
one  of  very  remarkable  greatness  and  power.  We  have  seen  how 
with  regard  to  the  progress  of  civil  and  religious  libert}7they  were 
quite  in  the  van.3  Against  the  use  of  the  civil  power  to  enforce 

1  See  his^  Qualifications  for  Communion,  Part  in.,  Obj.  20;  also,  his  Letter  to 
the  Rev. Elnathan  Whitman,  Hartford,  Conn.  — Works  of  Jonathan  Edwards, 
London",  1849,  Vol.  i.,  p.  cxviii.;  ib.,  pp.  clvi.,  vii.,  viii. 

2  "It  is  certain  that  the  conduct  of  the  Separates  (in  not  approving  the  halfway 
covenant)  received  his  anxious  attention."  "  He  must,  therefore,  have  seen  their 
arguments  against  the  admission  of  hypocrites  into  the  church,  and  it  was  not  in 
his  nature  to  cast  arguments  away  through  prejudice  without  ascertaining  what 
mixture  of  truth  there  might  be  in  them." —  Great  Awakening,  p.  40G. 

3  "  The  expedition  against  Cape  Breton,  in  which  Louisburg  was  taken  from 
the  French,  1743,  — Col.  Pepperell  commanding,  —  was  favored  by  Whitfield;  he 
gave  them  a  motto,  after  much  solicitation  of  Sherburne,  the  commissary,  — 
'Christo  duce,'  —  upon  which  great  numbers  enlisted.     Separates  at  Chebacco 

—  separated  from  Pickering  —  enlisted.     Whitfield  preached  to  the  troops  upon 
their  departure.  Upon  their  victory  Whitfield  preached  a  thanksgiving  sermon." 

—  Notes  in  Great  Awakening,  p.  67. 

The  Bennington  battle,  as  a  successful  contest  of  native  spirit  and  vigor  against 
odds  of  culture  and  of  British  prestige,  was  an  example  of  the  peculiar  spirit  and 
success  which  had  marked  the  career  of  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Benning- 
ton  from  the  time  they,  as  Separates,  protested  in  Connecticut  and  Massachu 
setts  against  the  aristocratic  and  domineering  formalism  of  the  Standing  Order 
churches. 

The  resistance  of  the  early  settlers  of  Vermont  against  the  attempts  of  the 


A    CONVERTED   MINISTRY.  383 

religious  conformity  they  successfully  protested.  In  the  midst  of 
a  serious  declension  in  the  mind  and  practice  of  the  churches  from 
the  written  standards,  the  Separates  rescued,  and  practically  re 
established,  every  important  doctrinal  sentiment  of  those  stand 
ards.  One  of  the  so-called  excesses  of  the  revivalists  was  their 
denunciation  of  the  ministers  as  unconverted ;  but  that  there  was 
too  much  reason  for  this  has  already  been  shown.  The  demand 
that  a  minister  should  be  a  converted  man  was  made  to  appear 
reasonable.  Public  attention  was  so  strongly  fixed  upon  it  that 
the  churches  and  the  community  came  soon  to  settle  it  correctly ; 
and  the  correct  settlement  of  this  question  has  practically  reached 
all  evangelical  denominations  in  the  United  States.  "  In  some 
instances  they  were  founded  on  separating  from  degenerate 
churches  and  an  unconverted  ministry,  as  even  charity  must  ad 
mit,  and  were  the  means  of  establishing  and  preserving  gospel 
ordinances  in  their  life  and  power  where  otherwise  there  would 
have  been  only  the  dead  form  of  religion.  Some  of  them  occurred 
where  the  Christian  population  was  large  enough  to  justify  divis 
ion.  Some  of  them  became  regular  and  orderly  churches  and  sub 
sist  to  this  day.  President  Clapp,  of  Yale  College,  who,  in  1742, 
forbade  his  pupils  to  attend  the  Separate  meeting  at  New  Haven, 
became  an  attendant  there  himself  in  less  than  ten  yeai$,"  —  now 
the  North  Church.1 

In  respect  of  every  important  position  named,  there  has  been  a 
singular  unanimity,  on  the  part  of  the  Congregational  churches, 
professedly  of  orthodox  faith,  in  coming  over  to  the  ground  thus 
in  advance  taken  by  the  Separates.  When  the  objections  to  the 
old  churches  in  their  minds  were  thus  removed,  and  there  was  felt 
to  be  no  other  need  of  the  additional  church,  the  Separates  readily 
returned  to  the  old  church,  excepting  in  those  instance  in  which 
the  Separate  church  had  become  Baptist.  "  They  went  out  from 
us,  but  they  were  of  us  :  their  return  was  natural,  pleasant  to  us, 
and  honorable  both  to  their  candor  and  to  our  common  religion." 2 

New  York  governors  in  council  to  establish  their  jurisdiction  as  far  east  as  the 
Connecticut  River,  was  a  decisive  struggle  of  republicanism  against 'the  spirit  of 
aristocracy  and  monarchy. 

1  Great  Awakening,  p.  390. 

2  Rev.  Dr.  McEowen,  in  Cont.  Ecc.  Hist.,  Conn.,  p.  281.    "The  close  of  the 
Revolutionary  struggle  found  many  of  the  parish  churches  destitute  of  pastors, 
and  in  some  of  them  the  lack  was  not  soon  supplied.     .     .     .     The  churches  of 
the  Standing  Order,  so  called,  gradually  abandoned  the  practices  which  had 


384  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

The  removal  of  the  Bennington  settlers  away  from  the  vicinity 
of  the  old  churches  to  new  seats,  would  disembarrass  them  of  the 
most  serious  evils  of  Separatism.  They  who  came  up  hither 
had  necessarily  to  found  a  new  church.  There  was  no  room  for 
any  question  about  the  expediency  of  this.  They  were  under  no 
temptation  of  uncharitable  denunciation  of  any  other  church  in 
the  neighborhood,  for  there  was  no  such  church  to  denounce.1 
And  to  this  day,  the  few  principles  they  adopted  as  the  basis  of 
their  church  order  have  been  sustained.  The  repudiation  of  the 
fellowship  of  the  churches  in  common  counsel  and  mutual  advice, 
and  the  idea  of  lay  ordination,  were  never  practically  adopted  by 
the  church.  As  has  been  seen,  in  less  than  a  year  after  its  organ 
ization,  it  invited  a  mutual  council  to  convene  at  "VVestfield,  Mass., 
to  give  advice  upon  the  question  of  the  removal  of  that  church 
and  its  pastor  hither.  The  duty  of  infant  baptism  was  strenu 
ously  maintained  from  the  outset.2  Whatever  impracticable  pe 
culiarities  of  extreme  Separatism  cropped  out  in  the  case  of 
individual  members  gradually  disappeared.  The  counsels  of 
moderation  and  wisdom  prevailed. 

IV.  LAWS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  AND  CONNECTICUT  RESPECTING 
FREEDOM  *OF  PUBLIC  WoKSinr,  COMPARED.  —  That  Massachusetts 
did  not  proceed  to  as  great  length  as  Connecticut  in  persecuting 
the  Separates  has  been  accounted  for  in  part,  and,  doubtless,  cor- 

grieved  the  Separates,  and,  to  some  extent,  adopted  the  very  positions  and 

courses  which  their  former  pastors  had  condemned The  result  was 

almost  inevitable.  Indeed,  the  reunion  of  churches  began  in  Canterbury, 
Conn.,  soon  after  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  though  not  at  first  completely  suc 
cessful.  The  same  thing  was  accomplished,  at  different  dates,  in  several  places; 
the  last,  and  one  of  the  most  successful  instances,  being  that  of  North  Stoning- 
ton,  where,  for  a  number  of  years,  Rev.  Joseph  Ayer  was  the  minister,  at  once, 
of  the  old  and  of  the  Separatist  church,  until  their  happy  union  in  1827."  —  Rev. 
R.  C.  Learned  in  "New  Englander"  for  1853, p.  206. 

1  It  is  a  familiar  anecdote  of  the  pioneer,  Samuel  Robinson,  Esq.,  that  when 
new-comers  presented  themselves  to  him  as  chief  proprietors'  agent  for  the 
lands  in  this  region,  he  would  inquire  of  them  as  to  their  religious  persuasion : 
if  Episcopalians,  he  would  offer  them  lands  in  Arlington;  if  Baptists,  in  Shafts- 
bury;  if  no  religious  persuasion,  in  Fownal;  but  if  Congregationalists,  in  Ben- 
nington.  — Thompson's  Vermont,  Part  in.,  p.  19.  It  may  be  questioned  whether 
this  slight  partiality  in  the  interest  of  a  denomination  was  not  really  ad^rse  to 
that  interest  and  to  the  interest  of  true  religion. 
2  See  record  of  the  first  case  of  discipline  after  the  organization  of  the  church, 


MASSACHUSETTS  PRIOR    TO   1691.  385 

rectly,  by  the  fact  that  the  charter  of  1691,  obtained  from  King 
William  III.,  termed  in  the  account  of  the  Sturbridge  case  "the 
royal  act  of  indulgence,"  required  toleration  of  every  religious 
persuasion  except  Papists.  "  Liberty  of  conscience  in  the  worship 
of  God  to  all  Christians,  except  Papists,  inhabiting,  or  which  shall 
inhabit  or  be  resident  within  our  said  province  or  territory."  This 
was  interpreted  to  mean  that  men  should  not  be  imprisoned,  or 
otherwise  punished,  for  holding  meetings  by  themselves  ;  and  was 
also  interpreted  not  to  prohibit  some  encouragement  by  law  (as, 
for  example,  enforcing  upon  the  Separates  the  payment  of  taxes 
to  the  Standing  Order)  of  the  religion  professed  by  the  majority 
of  the  inhabitants.  To  use  the  language  of  Mr.  Bancroft :  "  In  one 
respect  the  new  charter  was  an  advancement.  Every  form  of 
Christianity,  except,  unhappily,  the  Roman  Catholic,  was  enfran 
chised  ;  and  in  civil  affairs  the  freedom  of  the  colony,  no  longer 
restricted  to  the  members  of  the  church,  was  extended  so  widely 
as  to  be  in  a  practical  sense  nearly  universal.  The  Legislature 
continued  to  encourage  by  law  the  religion  professed  by  the  ma 
jority  of  the  inhabitants,  but  it  no  longer  decided  controversies  on 
opinion,  and  no  Synod  was  ever  again  convened."  l  Backus  says  : 
"  King  William  intended  by  this  charter  (of  1691)  to  prevent  their 
making  any  more  persecuting  laws,  and  it  had  that  effect  fifty  years 
afterward,  when  Connecticut  imprisoned  men  for  preaching  the 
gospel,  but  Massachusetts  could  not  do  so."2 

It  is  necessary  to  a  fair  comparison  between  Connecticut  and 
Massachusetts  to  say,  and  in  justice  to  Connecticut  to  recall  the 
well-known  historical  fact  that,  prior  to  the  coming  into  force  of 
this  charter  of  1691,  Massachusetts  had  an  unenviable  distinction 
above  Connecticut  in  punishing  with  fines,  imprisonments,  stripes, 
banishment,  and  worse,  those  who  were  not  orthodox  according 
to  the  Massachusetts  way. 

CONNECTICUT.  —  Of  the  original  constitution  of  the  colony  of 
Connecticut  Bancroft  says  (remarks  that,  of  course,  do  not  strictly 
apply  to  the  colony  of  New  Haven,  which,  however,  was  merged 
in  that  of  Connecticut  in  1662)  :  "Roger  Williams  had  ever  been 
a  welcome  guest  at  Hartford ;  and  that  heavenly  man,  John  Haynes, 

1  Vol.  in.,  p.  so. 

2  History  Baptists  in  New  England,  1002-1804,  by  Isaac  Backus,  Vol.  i.f  p.  133. 

33 


386  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

would  say  to  him,  '  I  think,  Mr.  Williams,  I  must  now  confess  to 
you  that  the  most  wise  God  hath  provided  and  cut  out  this  part  of 
the  world  as  a  refuge  and  receptacle  for  all  sorts  of  consciences.' 
There  never  existed  a  persecuting  spirit  in  Connecticut."  Ban 
croft  quotes  Douglas,  in  a  foot-note,  as  saying,  "I  never  heard  of 
any  persecuting  spirit  in  Connecticut.  In  this  they  are  egregiously 
aspersed."1  He  adds,  further  on:  "During  the  intervening  cen 
tury  (Connecticut's  first  century)  we  shall  rarely  have  occasion  to 
recur  to  Connecticut.  Its  institutions  were  perfected.  For  more 
than  a  century  peace  was  within  its  borders ;  and  with  transient 
interruptions  its  democratic  institutions  were  unharmed.  For  a 
century,  with  short  exceptions,  its  history  is  the  picture  of  colo 
nial  happiness.  To  describe  its  condition  is  but  to  enumerate  the 
blessings  of  self-government,  as  exercised  by  a  community  of  farm 
ers,  who  have  leisure  to  reflect,  who  cherish  education,  and  who 
have  neither  a  nobility  nor  a  populace."  '2 

While  the  third  article  of  the  bill  of  rights  of  the  new  constitu 
tion  (1780)  of  Massachusetts  was  not  generally  interpreted  until 
an  enabling  statute  (in  1811)3  to  give  to  every  religious  congrega 
tion,  whether  incorporated  or  not,  their  own  taxes  for  the  support 
of  religion,  Connecticut  passed  an  unequivocal  act  to  this  eflect  in 
1784.  And  whereas  this  third  article  of  the  bill  of  rights  was  not 
abolished  in  Massachusetts  until  1833,  Connecticut  adopted  a  con 
stitution,  in  1818,  which  in  principle  left  every  one  free  to  adopt 
some  religion,  or  no  religion,  as  they  should  be  pleased  to  do ;  and 
pay  a  tax  for  public  worship,  only  upon  voluntary  connection  with 
some  religious  society,  —  thus  obtaining  complete  religious  free 
dom,  the  ground  which  the  Separates  took,  and  for  which  chiefly 
they  separated  from  the  Standing  Order  as  far  back  as  1730.  The 
constitution  of  Massachusetts  was  revised  in  1820,  and  an  attempt 
was  made  at  that  time  to  have  the  third  article  of  the  bill  of  rights 
abolished,  by  which  Massachusetts  would  have  been  put  on  the 
same  footing  with  Connecticut,  but  it  failed.  The  attempt  was 
again  made  in  1833,  and  was  successful.4 

1  Vol.  II.,  pp.  56, 57.  2  Ibid.,  pp.  60,  61. 

3  Buck's  Mass.  Ecc.  Law,  pp.  43,  45. 

4  "  So  unanimous  had  the  dissatisfaction  become,  that,  in  1834,  an  amendment 
of  the  third  article  of  the  bill  of  rights  was  adopted,  by  which  the  ancient 
policy  of  the  Commonwealth,  derived  from  the  mother  country,  steadily  main 
tained  for  two  hundred  years,  was  entirely  abandoned."  — Buck's  Mass.  Ecc. 
Law,  p.  64. 


PURITANS   OF  MASSACHUSETTS  BAY.  387 

V.  JUSTICE  TO  THE  PURITANS  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  BAY.  —  In 
what  has  been  said  in  this  volume  respecting  the  laws  of  Connect 
icut  and  Massachusetts,  in  their  bearing  upon  the  Separates,  the 
case  has  been  stated  strongly  against  them ;  not,  however,  with 
the  least  feeling  of  prejudice  against  the  fathers  of  New  England, 
but  simply  to  account  for  the  course  of  the  Separates,  to  whom, 
as  a  class,  so  many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Bennington  belonged. 

With  regard  to  the  spiritual  degeneracy  of  the  churches,  in  con 
nection  with  the  culmination  of  the  halfway  covenant  folly,  the 
writer  has  no  apology  to  offer  for  them.  Such  backslidings,  how 
ever,  have,  from  time  to  time,  disgraced  professed  Christianity  in 
all  ages  of  its  history ;  and  the  sad  story  of  such  degeneracies 
should  be  pondered  by  us,  so  as  to  impress  the  admonition  of 
Scripture,  "  Wherefore  let  him  that  thiuketh  he  standeth  take 
heed  lest  he  fall."  But  with  respect  to  the  principle  of  the  en 
forcement  of  religious  conformity,  particularly  in  the  matter  of 
public  worship,  some  words  of  explanation  should  be  added,  in 
justice  to  the  Puritans ;  though  they  were  but  men,  and,  as  such, 
to  be  seen  in  the  light  of  their  imperfections  as  well  as  their 
virtues. 

The  Puritans  did  not  believe,  did  not  profess  to  believe,  in  free 
dom  of  religious  worship.  They  did  not  profess  to  be  Separatists 
as  to  the  Church  of  England.  There  were  instances,  indeed,  in  the 
mother  country,  of  their  standing  in  an  attitude  of  severe  antag 
onism  toward  the  Separatists.  (The  Pilgrims  who  came  in  the 
Mayflower,  and  settled  in  Plymouth,  were  Separatists,  of  that 
day,  and  believed  in  entire  freedom  of  conscience  as  to  religious 
.worship,  and  remained  so  while  they  lived,  though  the  influence 
of  the  Plymouth  colony  was  gradually  overborne  by  that  of  the 
more  powerful  colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  and  of  the  con 
federation,  afterward,  of  the  colonies  of  Plymouth,  Massachusetts, 
Connecticut,  and  New  Haven.) 

Moreover,  take  them  as  they  were,  how  far  in  advance  were 
they  of  their  times?  Let  such  imperfections  as  there  were  in  their 
knowledge  and  attainments  be  viewed  in  contrast  with  the  greater 
imperfections  and  far  deeper  ignorance  of  the  times  at  large,  and 
of  their  own  early  education.  Their  faults  were  not  so  much  faults 
of  the  men  as  of  the  times.  Let  it  be  remembered  that  the  daylight 
of  freedom  of  public  worship,  as  to  compulsory  taxation,  has  not 
yet  come  in  England,  —  only  a  faint  twilight  betokening,  now  at 


388  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

length  the  approach  of  day ;  and  it  may  be  the  better  understood 
how  deep  was  the  darkness  a  eentury  and  a  half  ago. 

The  purpose  of  the  Puritan  fathers,  to  maintain,  as  a  parish, 
public  worship,  at  all  hazards,  as  a  foremost  duty  and  interest  of 
the  community,  is  to  be  charged  with  much  of  their  proceedings 
toward  the  minority  who  refused  to  assist  in  supporting  the  public 
worship  of  God  with  the  majority  of  the  town.  This  principle 
has  run  through  all  the  ecclesiastical  legislation  of  Massachusetts, 
dominating  every  opposing  principle  and  interest,  until  its  power 
was  felt,  most  seriously  of  all,  by  those  who  came  to  be  in  the 
minority,  as  against  the  Unitarians,  and  were  themselves  refused, 
in  the  courts,  any  of  the  property  of  the  old  society.  This  subject 
is  fully  set  forth  by  Buck  in  his  "Massachusetts  Ecclesiastical 
Law."  Our  Puritan  fathers  believed  it  was  necessary  to  com 
pel  unwilling  ones  to  assist  the  willing ;  and  they  were  slow  to 
believe  that  a  parish  had  become  sufficiently  large  to  maintain  more 
than  one  meeting;  and  they  felt  no  security  that  that  meeting 
would  be  maintained  unless  severe  measures  of  coercion  were 
employed  upon  such  as  otherwise  would  refuse  to  co-operate  with 
them. 

"  The  confederate  commissioners  of  the  New  England  colony 
from  1643  to  16G7,  maintained  a  careful  supervision  of  the  religions 
condition  of  each  colony.  They  distributed  Bibles,  they  conducted 
missions  to  the  Indians  on  a  scale  unknown  before  their  time,  be 
side  settling  the  very  difficult  questions  of  public  law  relating  to 
war,  boundary,  and  jurisdiction,  on  high  Christian  principles, 
without  precedents  to  guide  them." * 

"  The  General  Court,  as  early  as  1654,  held  it  to  be  their  '  great 
duty  to  provide  that  all  places  and  people  within  their  gates  should 
be  supplied  with  an  able  and  faithful  minister  of  God's  holy 
word.'"  "Presidents  of  county  courts  and  grand  juries  were  to 
present  all  abuses  and  neglects,  and  to  attend  to  the  orders  of  the 
General  Court  concerning  the  maintenance  of  the  ministry,  and 
the  purging  of  their  towns  from  such  ministry  and  public  preach 
ers  as  should  be  found  vicious  in  their  lives,  and  perniciously  het 
erodox  in  their  doctrine.  So  strictly  were  these  matters  attended 
to,  that  we  have,  in  1800,  the  exact  penalties  which  towns  should 
pay  for  neglecting  to  supply  good  preaching  to  the  people.  If 
the  neglect  lasted  for  three  mouths  out  of  six,  the  penalty  was 
1  Mass.  Ecc.  Law,  p.  23. 


PURITANS   OF  MASSACHUSETTS  BAY.  389 

from  thirty  to  sixty  dollars ;  if  repeated,  the  penalty  was  from  sixty 
to  one  hundred  dollars."1  The  General  Court  also  had  a  care 
over  the  attendance  upon  public  worship.  "  At  common  law,  it 
was  an  offence  to  be  absent  from  public  worship ;  and  by  statutes, 
1  Elizabeth,  ch.  2,  absentees,  without  excuse,  were  liable  to  the 
censures  of  the  church,  and  a  line  of  twelve  pence."  A  fine  might 
be  imposed  for  delinquency  until  1835.2 

Solne  traces  of  this  feeling  of  misgiving  lest  public  worship 
could  not  be  maintained  without  some  assistance  of  the  civil 
power  is  seen  even  in  the  first  constitution  and  early  legislation 
of  Vermont. 

It  is  even  now  claimed,  by  some  authors  for  the  infant  colony 
of  Massachusetts,3  that  the  excluding  of  heterogeneous  sects  was 
a  measure  of  necessity,  on  the  principle  that  self-preservation  is 
the  first  law  of  nature.  Undoubtedly  thus  reasoned  the  fathers 
of  the  Massachusetts  colony.  The  early  history  of  Connecticut 
colony,  and.  indeed,  of  infant  communities  in  the  new  States,  in 
our  own  time,  would  seem,  however,  to  disprove  such  reasoning. 

Besides,  if  they  degenerated,  out  of  their  own  loins,  from  among 
their  own  churches  and  communities,  came  forth  those  who  saw 
the  truth,  and  led  up  the  others  and  mankind  to  a  higher  plane. 

The  instances  of  exceedingly  severe  treatment  —  such  as  if  in 
flicted  now  would  be  considered  outrageous  and  diabolical  in  every 
sense  —  were  sporadic  cases,  —  effects  of  sudden  and  overpower 
ing  excitement  in  the  community.  They  were  not  the  normal 
and  abiding  results  of  the  spirit  of  the  people  and  the  community 
as  a  whole. 

In  the  "Massachusetts  Ecclesiastical  Law,"  p.  36,  the  author 
justly  says,  in  a  note,  "  It  would  seem  that  the  harsh  moods  of 
our  ancestors,  in  the  case  of  the  Quakers  and  witches,  hardly 
lasted  two  years.  We  might  look  in  vain  for  a  swifter  return  to 
common  sense,  after  a  national  excitement." 

Another4  has  said  of  Massachusetts,  "The  wild  excesses  of  the 
people  in  preventing  witchcraft,  in  1G92,  destroyed  nearly  every 
trace  of  belief  in  ghosts  and  such  things." 

Of  the  law  of  1742,  in  the  General  Assembly  of  Connecticut, 
"  For  regulating  abuses  and  correcting  disorders  in  ecclesiastical 

1  Mass.  Ecc.  Law,  pp.  26,  27.  2  jfass.  Ecc.  Law,  p.  27. 

3  See  Talfrey's  remarks  on  this  point  in  bis  History  of  New  England. 

4  Goodrich  Hist.  United  States. 

33* 


390  MEMORIALS    OF  A    CENTURY. 

affairs,"  and  which  imposed  penalties  on  itinerant  preachers  and 
exhorters,  it  has  been  well  declared,  "  It  was  a  high-handed  in 
fringement  of  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  in  a  few  years  fell 
and  buried  the  party  which  enacted  it  in  ruins."  l  The  reaction 
against  this  persecuting  course  was  as  violent  as  the  adoption  of 
the  course  itself.  It  intensified  the  spirit  of  Separatism,  and  an 
accelerated  progress  of  religious  liberty  ensued. 

The  constant  tendency  of  human  nature  is  to  degenerate,  -while 
the  church  of  God  in  the  world,  with  all  its  reactions  and  back- 
slidings,  still  brings  forth  from  within  itself  those  who  lead  man 
kind  up  to  successively  higher  planes  of  civilization,  goodness, 
intelligence,  and  happiness.  "Even  so  every  good  tree  bringeth 
forth  good  fruit;  but  a  corrupt  tree  bringeth  forth  evil  fruit." 
See  the  Pilgrims  landing  on  Plymouth  Rock,  in  1620,  and  the 
Puritans  settling  in  Salem  and  Boston,  in  1630,  and  consider  what 
New  England  is  to-day,  and  what  its  influence  in  the  world  has 
already  been. 

In  tracing,  therefore,  the  course  of  legislation  in  the  States 
named,  with  regard  to  freedom  of  religious  worship,  the  object  of 
the  writer  has  been  simply  historical  information  upon  an  inter 
esting,  important,  and  little  understood  subject,  and  justice  to 
all,  while  he  still  retains  the  most  profound  respect  for  our  Pil 
grim  and  Puritan  forefathers. 

l  Great  Awakening,  p.  238. 


APPENDIX. 


A. 

THE  CHARTER  OF  BEXNIXGTON. 

THE  following  is  a  copy  of  the  original  instrument  in  the  town  clerk's  office. 
Upon  the  back  of  the  charter  are  the  names  of  the  grantees,  including  the  raira- 
ister  as  one.  and  the  school  as  anotheT,  and  the  name  of  Governor  Wentworth 
occurs  twice.  Accompanying  the  charter  is  a  plan  of  the  township,  in  sixty- 
four  squares,  to  designate  the  rights,  with  the  name  of  its  proprietor  on  each 
square,  as  the  rights  were  severally  drawn  by  lot  "  by  the  agents,  for  the  pro 
prietors  in  Portsmouth,  Jan.  10,  1749;  and  were  entered  by  the  secretary  of  said 
province  upon  this  plan ;  each  man  taking  his  chance  whose  name  stands  in  the 
schedule  annexed  to  the  grant  of  said  township."] 

Province  of      > 
New  Hampshire.  ) 

George  the  Second,  by  the  Grace  of  God,  of  Great 
Britain,  France,  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender 
of  the  Faith,  &c. 

§&0»e*  «*>«*>§  To  all  persons  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
Seal.  §  Greeting.  Know  ye,  That  We,  of  our  especial  grace, 
§-sxvy><4r:'^,§  certain  knowledge,  and  mere  motion,  for  the  due  en 
couragement  of  settling  a  new  plantation  within  our  said  province, 
by  and  with  the  advice  of  our  trusty  and  well-beloved  Benning 
Wrntworth,  Esquire,  our  Governour  andCommander-in-Chief  of  our 
said  province  of  New  Hampshire,  in  America,  and  of  our  Council 
of  the  said  province,  have,  upon  the  conditions  and  reservations 
hereinafter  made,  given  and  granted,  and  by  these  presents  for  us, 
our  heirs  and  successors,  do  give  and  grant  in  equal  shares  unto 
our  loving  subjects,  inhabitants  of  our  said  province  of  New 
Hampshire,  and  his  Majesty's  other  governments,  and  to  their 


392 


APPENDIX. 


heirs  and  assigns  forever,  whose  names  are  entered  in  this  grant, 
to  be  divided  to  and  amongst  them,  into  sixty-four  equal  shares. 
All  that  tract  or  parcel  of  land,  situate,  lying,  and  being  within 
our  said  province  of  New  Hampshire,  containing,  by  admeasure 
ment,  twenty-three  thousand  and  forty  acres,  which  tract  is  to 
contain  six  miles  square  and  no  more,  out  of  which  an  allowance 
is  to  be  made  for  highways  and  unimprovable  lands,  by  rocks, 
mountains,  ponds,  and  rivers,  one  thousand  and  forty  acres,  free 
according  to  a  plan  and  survey  thereof,  made  by  our  said  Goverii- 
our's  order,  by  Matthew  Clesson,  surveyor,  returned  into  the  Sec 
retary's  office  and  hereunto  annexed,  butted  and  bounded,  as  fol 
lows,  viz. :  Beginning  at  a  crotchecl  hemlock  tree  marked  W.W.,  six 
miles  due  north  of  a  white  oak  tree,  standing  in  the  northern  bound 
ary  line  of  the  province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  twenty-four 
miles  east  of  Hudson's  river,  marked  M.  C.  I.  T.,  and  from  said  hem 
lock  tree  west  ten  degrees,  north  four  miles  to  a  stake  and  stones, 
which  is  the  south-west  corner,  tfnd  from  said  stake  and  stones 
north  ten  degrees  east,  six  miles  to  a  stake  and  stones,  which  is 
the  north-west  corner,  and  from  said  stake  and  stones  east  ten 
degrees  south,  six  miles  to  a  stake  and  stones,  which  is  in  the 
north-east  corner,  and  from  thence  south  ten  degrees  west,  six  miles 
to  a  stake  and  stones,  which  is  the  south-east  corner,  and  from 
thence  west  ten  degrees  north,  two  miles  to  the  crotched  hemlock 
first  mentioned ;  and  that  the  same  be  and  hereby  is  incorporated 
into  a  township  by  the  name  of  Benniiujton  ;  and  the  inhabitants 
that  do,  or  shall  hereafter  inhabit  the  said  township,  arc  hereby 
declared  to  be  enfranchised  with,  and  entituled  to,  all  and  every  the 
privileges  and  immunities  that  other  towns  within  our  province  by 
law  exercise  and  enjoy.  And  further,  that  the  said  town,  as  soon  as 
there  shall  be  fifty  families  resident  and  settled  thereon,  shall  have 
the  liberty  of  holding;  two  fairs,  one  of  which  shall  be  held  on  the 
first  Monday  in  the  month  of  March,  and  the  other  on  the  first  Mon 
day  in  the  month  of  September,  annually,  which  fairs  are  not  to  con 
tinue  and  be  held  longer  than  the  respective  Saturdays  following  the 
said  Mondays ;  and  that,  as  soon  as  the  said  town  shall  consist  of 
fifty  families,  a  market  shall  be  opened  and  kept  one  or  more  days 
in  each  week,  as  may  be  thought  most  advantageous  to  the  inhab 
itants.  Also,  that  the  first  meeting  for  the  choice  of  town  officers, 
agreeable  to  the  laws  of  our  said  province,  shall  be  held  on  the 
last  Wednesday  of  March  next,  which  said  meeting  shall  be  noti- 


THE   BENNINGTON  CHARTER.  393 

fled  by  Colonel  William  Williams,  who  is  hereby  also  appointed 
moderator  of  the  said  first  meeting,  which  he  is  to  notify  and 
govern  agreeably  to  the  law  and  custom  of  our  said  province. 
And  that  the  annual  meeting  forever  hereafter  for  the  choice  of 
such  officers,  for  the  said  town,  shall  be  on  the  last  Wednesday  of 
March  annually. 

To  hare  <ind  to  hold  the  said  tract  of  land  as  above  expressed, 
together  with  all  privileges  and  appurtenances,  to  them,  and  their 
respective  heirs  and 'assigns  forever,  upon  the  following  condi 
tions,  viz. : — 

Im  rimis  r^^at  eyery  grantee,  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  plant  and 
'  cultivate  five  acres  of  land  within  the  term  of  five 
years  for  every  fifty  acres  contained  in  his  or  their  share  or  pro 
portion  of  land  in  said  township,  and  continue  to  improve  and 
settle  the  same  by  additional  cultivation,  on  penalty  of  the  forfeit 
ure  of  his  grant  or  share  in  the  said  township,  and  of  its  reverting 
to  his  majesty,  his  heirs  and  successors,  to  be  by  him  or  them  re- 
granted  to  such  of  his  subjects  as  shall  effectually  settle  and  cul 
tivate  the  same. 

That  all  white  and  other  pine  trees  within  the  said 
township,  fit  for  masting  our  royal  navy,  be  carefully 
preserved  for  that  use,  and  none  to  be  cut  or  felled  without  his 
majesty's  especial  license  for  so  doing,  first  had  and  obtained  on  the 
penalty  of  the  forfeiture  of  the  right  of  such  grantee,  his  heirs,  or 
assigns,  to  us,  our  heirs  or  successors,  as  well  as  being  subject  to 
the  penalty  of  any  act  or  acts  of  Parliament  that  now  are  or  here 
after  shall  be  enacted. 

That  before  any  division  of  the  said  land  be  made  to 
and   among  the  grantees,  a  tract  of  land,  as   near  the 
centre  of  said  township  as  the  land  will  admit  of,  shall  be  re 
served  and  marked  out  for  town  lots,  one  of  which  shall  be  allotted 
to  each  grantee  of  the  contents  of  one  acre. 

Yielding  and  paying  therefor  to  us,  our  heirs  and  suc 
cessors,  for  the  space  of  ten  years,  to  be  computed  from 
the  date  hereof,  the  rent  of  one  ear  of  Indian  corn  only,  on  the 
twenty-fifth  day  of  December,  annually,  if  lawfully  demanded,  the 
first  payment  to  be  made  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  December 
next  ensuing  the  date  hereof. 

Every  proprietor,  or  settler,  or  inhabitant,  shall  yield 
and  pay  unto  us,  our  heirs  and   successors,  yearly  and 


394  APPENDIX. 

every  year  forever,  from  and  after  the  expiration  of  ten  years  from 
the  date  hereof,  namely,  on  the  twenty-fifth  day  of  December, 
which  will  be  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1760,  one  shilling  proclama 
tion  money,  for  every  hundred  acres  he  so  owns,  settles,  or  pos 
sesses,  and  so  in  proportion  for  a  greater  or  lesser  tract  of  the 
said  land,  which  money  shall  be  paid  by  the  respective  persons 
above  said,  their  heirs,  or  assigns,  in  our  council  chamber  in 
Portsmouth,  or  to  such  officer  or  officers  as  s,hall  be  appointed  to 
receive  the  same,  and  this  to  be  in  lieu  of  all  other  rents  and  ser 
vices  whatsoever. 

In  testimony  whereof  we  have  caused  the  seal  of  our  said  prov 
ince  to  be  hereunto  affixed.  Witness,  BENNING  WENTWORTII,  Esq., 
our  Governor,  and  Commander-in-Chief  of  our  said  provinces, 
the  third  day  of  January,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  Christ  one  thou 
sand  seven  hundred  and  forty-nine,  and  in  the  twenty-third  year  of 
our  reign.  B.  WENTWORTII. 

By  his  Excellency's  command,  with  advice  of  the  Council. 

THEODORE  ATKINSON,  Esq. 

STATE  OF  VERMONT,  SURVEYOR-GENERAL'S  OFFICE, 
SUNDERLAND,  December  13th,  1785. 

Recorded  in  the  first  book  for  charters  of  the  New  Hampshire 
grants,  pp.  193, 194, 195.  I.  ALLEN,  /Secretary-  General. 

B. 

ALLEN  AND  WARNER. 

By  successful  acts  of  adventurous  heroism, — foremost  among 
which  was  the  taking  of  Ticonderoga,  with  his  small  handful  of 
men,  "in  the  name  of  the  Great  Jehovah  and  the  Continental  Con 
gress,  "  —  Ethan  Allen  has  gained  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  an 
nals  of  Vermont.  He  is  fairly  entitled  to  the  admiration  he  has 
received,  on  account  of  the  remarkable  warmth  of  his  nature, 
the  irresistible  popular  force,  for  a  time,  of  his  writing  and  speak 
ing,  and  his  distinguished  activity,  daring,  and  enterprise  in  the 
public  service.  Two  or  three  characteristic  anecdotes  are  here 
introduced. 

He  was  once  sued  upon  a  promissory  note  for  sixty  pounds, 
and  as  it  was  not  convenient  for  him  to  meet  a  judgment,  he  em 
ployed  a  lawyer  to  procure  a  continuance.  As  the  readiest  means 


ETHAN  ALLEN.  395 

for  this,  the  lawyer  determined  to  deny  the  signature.  The  at 
testing  witness  would  then  be  necessary,  and  as  he  lived  in 
Boston,  and  could  not  be  procured  in  season,  a  continuance  would 
be  inevitable.  When  the  case  was  called,  Allen  happened  to  be 
present,  and,  to  his  astonishment,  he  heard  his  lawyer  gravely 
deny  the  signature  of  the  note.  "With  long  strides  he  made  his 
way  through  the  crowd,  and,  confronting  the  amazed  attorney, 

rebuked  him  in  a  voice  of  thunder:  "Mr. ,  I  did  not  hire 

you  to  come  here  and  lie.  That  is  a  true  note ;  I  signed  it,  I'll 
swear  to  it,  and  I'll  pay  it.  I  want  no  shuffling,  but  I  want  time. 
What  I  employed  you  for  was  to  get  this  business  put  over  to 
the  next  Court,  not  to  come  here  and  lie  and  juggle  about  it." 
It  is  needless  to  say  he  got  the  continuance.1 

Two  little  girls,  seven  and  four  years  of  age,  had  wandered  into 
the  woods.  Not  returning,  and  night  about  setting  in,  the 
parents,  fearing  they  had  fallen  a  prey  to  the  wild  beasts  then 
infesting  the  forests,  with  the  aid  of  a  few  neighbors  commenced 
a  search,  which  was  continued  through  the  night,  and  the  next 
day,  joined  by  large  numbers  from  that  and  adjacent  towns,  and 
was  prosecuted  until  mid-afternoon  of  the  third  day,  when,  worn 
out  by  fatigue,  and  despairing  of  finding  the  lost  wanderers  alive, 
the  men  had  collected  together  with  the  view  of  returning  to 
their  home;  but  among  them  was  Ethan  Allen.  He  mounted  a 
stump,  and,  in  a  manner  peculiar  to  himself,  pointed  first  to  the 
father  and  then  to  the  mother  of  the  lost  children,  now  petrified 
with  grief,  and  admonished  each  individual  present  —  and 
especially  those  who  were  parents  —  to  make  the  case  of  these 
parents  his  own,  and  then  say  whether  they  could  go  contentedly 
to  their  homes  without  making  one  further  effort  to  save  these 
dear  little  ones  who  were  probably  now  alive,  but  perishing  with 
huuger,  and  spending  their  last  strength  in  crying  to  father  and 
mother  to  give  them  food.  As  he  spoke  his  giant  frame  was 
agitated,  and  tears  rolled  down  his  cheeks ;  and  in  the  assembly 
of  several  hundred  men  but  few  eyes  were  dry;  whereupon  all 
manifested  a  willingness  to  return.  The  search  being  renewed, 
before  night  of  the  same  day  the  lost  children  were  found,  and 
restored  in  safety  to  the  arms  of  distracted  parents.2 

When  Col.  Allen  was  captured  at  Montreal,  by  the  British,  with 
his  party  of  Canadians,  order  -was  given  that  thirteen  of  these 

l  Vermont  Record,          2  Vermont  Hist.  Mag.     Article,  Suiiderland. 


396  APPENDIX. 

Canadians  should  be  thrust  through  with  bayonets.  "It  cut  me 
to  the  heart,"  he  says,  "to  see  the  Canadians  in  so  hard  a  case,  in 
consequence  of  their  having  been  true  to  me ;  they  were  wringing 
their  hands,  saying  their  prayers  (as  I  concluded),  and  expected 
immediate  death.  I  therefore  stepped  between  the  executioners 
and  the  Canadians,  opened  my  clothes,  and  told  General  Prescott 
to  thrust  his  bayonet  into  my  breast,  for  I  was  the  sole  cause  of 
the  Canadians'  taking  up  arms ;  the  guard  in  the  mean  time  roll 
ing  their  eyeballs  from  the  General  to  me,  as  though  impatiently 
waiting  his  dread  commands  to  sheathe  their  bayonets  in  my 
breast.  I  could,  however,  plainly  discern  that  he  was  in  a  sus 
pense  and  quandary  about  the  matter.  This  gave  me  additional 
hopes  of  succeeding;  for  my  design  was  not  to  die,  but  to  save 
the  Canadians  by  a  finesse."  l 

In  the  progress  of  the  New  York  controversy,  several  pamphlets 
were  written  by  Allen,  as  well  as  letters  of  official  correspondence 
with  the  opposing  party,  exhibiting,  in  a  manner  peculijlr  to  him 
self,  and  well  suited  to  the  state  of  public  feeling,  the  injustice  of 
the  New  York  claims.  These  pamphlets  were  extensively  circu 
lated,  and  contributed  much  to  inform  the  minds,  arouse  the  zeal, 
and  unite  the  efforts  of  the  settlers.2 

"When  Col.  Allen  had  been  released  from  his  long  captivity,  in 
exchange  for  Colonel  Campbell,  Allen  paid  a  visit  to  the  American 
camps  at  Valley  Forge,  where  he  had  much  to  tell  of  his  various 
vicissitudes  and  hardships.  Washington,  in  a  letter  to  the  Presi 
dent  of  Congress  suggesting  that  something  should  be  done  for 
Allen,  observes :  "  His  fortitude  and  firmness  seem  to  have 
placed  him  out  of  the  reach  of  misfortune.  There  is  an  original 
something  about  him  that  commands  admiration,  and  his  long 
captivity  and  sufferings  have  only  served  to  increase,  if  possible, 
his  enthusiastic  zeal.  He  appears  very  desirous  of  rendering  his 
services  to  the  States,  and  of  being  employed."3 

Seth  Warner,  Allen's  comrade  in  so  many  adventures,  and  in  so 
much  public  service,  without  attempting,  perhaps  incapable  of, 
rhetorical  effects  by  his  tongue  and  pen,  possessed  more  breadth 
of  character,  more  prudence  and  judgment,  and  yet  no  less  deter 
mination  and  courage,  than  Allen.  When  the  peculiar  occasions 
for  adventurous  daring  had  passed  by,  Warner  rose  to  a  higher 

l  Ethau  Allen's  Narrative,  p.  36.  2  Gov.  Slade,  in  State  Tapers,  p.  3G. 

3  living's  Life  of  Washington,  Vol.  in.,  p.  378. 


ALLEN  AND    WARNER.  397 

degree  of  respect  in  the  public  mind,  while  Providence  appeared 
to  have  denied  to  Allen  opportunity  for  achieving  further  renown. 
"  As  a  military  leader,  Warner  was  honored  and  confided  in  above 
all  others  by  the  people  of  this  State,  and  his  bravery  and  military 
capacity  appear  to  have  been  always  appreciated  by  the  intelli 
gent  officers  from  other  States  with  whom  he  served.  In  the  dis 
astrous  retreat  from  Canada,  in  the  spring  of  1776,  he  brought  up 
the  rear ;  and  he  was  placed  in  command  of  the  rear-guard  on  the 
evacuation  of  Ticonderoga,  by  which  he  was  involved  in  the 
action  at  Hubbardton.  At  Benuiugton  he  was  with  Stark  for 
several  clays  before  the  battle,  and  was  his  associate  in  planning 
the  attack  upon  Baum,  and  in  carrying  it  into  execution ;  and  it 
was  by  his  advice  and  contrary  to  the  first  impression  of  Stark 
that  Breyman  was  immediately  opposed  without  first  retiring  to 
rally  the  scattered  forces." l 

"  It  is  evident  that  they  " —  Allen  and  Warner  — "  were  far  more 
efficient  and  more  useful  in  defending  the  New  Hampshire  Grants, 
than  they  would  have  been,  had  they  both  been  Aliens,  or  both 
been  Warners ;  and  it  would  not  be  extravagant  to  say,  that,  had 
either  been  wanting,  the  independence  of  Vermont  might  not 
have  been  achieved.  But  in  selecting  a  person  to  command  a 
regiment,  the  men  of  that  day  gave  the  preference  to  Warner. 
Accordingly  the  convention  assembled  at  Dorset  to  nominate 
officers  for  a  regiment  of  Green  Mountain  Boys,  nominated  War 
ner  for  lieutenant-colonel  to  command  the  regiment,  by  a  vote  of 
forty-one  to  five.  And  as  Allen  was  candidate  for  the  office,  as 
appears  by  his  letter  to  Governor  Trumbull,  written  shortly  after 
the  officers  were  nominated,  in  which  he  says,  that  he  was  over 
looked  because  the  old  men  were  reluctant  to  go  to  war,  the  vote 
must  be  considered  as  a  fair  expression  of  the  public  sentiment 
in  relation  to  the  qualifications  of  the  two  men  for  the  office."  2 

1  Vermont  Hist.  Mag. 

2  Quoted  from  Chipman's  Life  of  Warner  in  Mr.  Houghton's  Montpelier  Ad 
dress. 

34 


398  APPENDIX. 

C. 

COVENANT  OF  THE  BENNINGTON  FIRST  CHURCH. 

[The  greater  probability  is  that  this  instrument  was  adopted  and  signed  not 
at,  but  within  two  or  three  years  after,  the  organization  of  the  church.  See  p. 
39  of  this  volume.] 

We  whose  names  are  underwritten,  apprehending  ourselves 
called  of  God  into  church  state  of  the  gospel,  do,  first  of  all,  con 
fess  ourselves  unworthy  to  be  so  highly  favored  of  the  Lord ;  and 
admire  that  rich  and  free  grace  of  his,  which  triumphs  over  so 
great  unworthiness ;  and  then,  with  an  humble  reliance  on  the 
grace  therein  promised  for  those  who,  in  a  sense  of  their  inability 
to  do  any  good  thing,  do  humbly  wait  on  him  for  all,  —  we  now 
thankfully  lay  hold  of  his  covenant;  and  would  choose  the 
things  that  please  him. 

We  declare  our  serious  belief  of  the  Christian  religion  as  con 
tained  in  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and  with  such  view  thereof  as  the 
Confession  of  Faith  and  Rules  of  Discipline  in  Cambridge  Plat 
form  has  exhibited,  —  heartily  resolving  to  conform  our  lives  unto 
the  rules  of  that  holy  religion  so  long  as  we  live  in  the  world. 
We  give  ourselves  unto  the  Lord  Jehovah,  who  is  the  Father,  and 
the  Son,  and  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  avouch  him  this  day  to  be  our 
God,  our  Father,  and  our  Saviour,  and  our  Leader;  and  receive 
him  as  our  portion  forever.  We  give  up  ourselves  unto  the 
blessed  Jesus,  who  is  the  Lord  Jehovah ;  and  adhere  to  him  as  the 
head  of  his  people  in  the  covenant  of  grace ;  and  rely  on  him  as 
our  Priest,  and  our  Prophet,  and  our  King,  to  bring  us  unto  eter 
nal  blessedness.  We  acknowledge  our  everlasting  and  indispen 
sable  obligation  to  glorify  God  in  all  the  duties  of  a  godly,  a  sober, 
and  a  righteous  life,  and  very  particularly  in  the  duty  of  a  church 
state,  —  a  body  of  people  associated  together  for  an  obedience  to 
him  in  all  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel ;  and  we  herein  depend 
upon  his  gracious  assistance  for  our  faithful  discharge  of  the  du 
ties  thus  incumbent  on  us.  We  desire,  and  intend,  and  with  de 
pendence  upon  his  powerful  grace  we  engage,  to  walk  together 
as  a  church  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  the  faith  and  order  of  the 
gospel  so  far  as  we  shall  have  the  same  revealed  to  us,  —consci 
entiously  attending  the  public  worship  of  God,  the  sacraments 
of  the  New  Testament,  the  discipline  of  his  kingdom,  and  all  his 
holy  institutions  in  communion  with  one  another,  and  watchfully 


OLD    CHURCH   COVENANT. 


399 


avoiding  all  sinful  stumbling-blocks,  as  become  a  people  whom  the 
Lord  hath  bound  up  together  in  the  bundle  of  eternal  life. 

At  the  same  time,  also,  we  do  present  our  offspring  with  us  to 
the  Lord,  purposing  with  his  help  to  do  our  part  in  the  methods 
of  a  religious  education  that  they  may  be  the  Lord's.  And  all 
this  we  do  flying  to  the  blood  of  the  everlasting  covenant  for  the 
pardon  of  our  many  errors ;  and  praying  that  the  glorious  Lord, 
who  is  the  great  Shepherd,  will  prepare  and  strengthen  us  for  every 
good  work  to  do  his  will,  working  in  us  that  which  will  be  well 
pleasing  in  his  sight  — to  whom  be  glory  forever  and  ever. 
Amen. 


John  Roberts 
Samuel  Robinson 
James  Fay 
Benjamin  Harwood 
George  Abbott,  Jim. 
Jedidiah  Rice 
James  Breakenridge 
Oliver  Rice 
James  Fay,  Jr. 
David  Doane 
John  Fassett 
Daniel  Fay 
Ichabod  Stratton 
William  Breakenridge 
Benjamin  Whipple 
Eleazer  Harwood 
Samuel  Pratt 
Jonathan  Scott 
Elisha  Field 
Samuel  Montague 
Elizabeth  Scott 
Experience  Richardson 
Rebekah  Abbott 
Lydia  Fay 
Marcy  Robinson 
Baty  Pratt 
Bridget  Harwood 
Elizabeth  Roberts 
Elizabeth  Fisk 
Elizabeth  Pratt 
Peace  At  wood 
Prudence  Whipple 
Martha  Abbott 


Mehitable  Fay 
Hannah  Rice 
Elizabeth  Fay 
Marcy  Newtotf 
Hepzibah  Whipple 
Joseph  Saffbrd 
Stephen  Story 
Bethiah  Burnham 
Eleanor  Smith 
Aaron  Leonard 
John  Wood 
Zechariah  Harwood 
Timothy  Abbott 
Esther  Breakenridge 
Elijah  Story 
Mary  Fassett 
Martha  Wickwire 
Martha  Montague 
Jonathan  Scott,  Jr. 
Jonathan  Eastman 
Elizabeth  Harwood 
Daniel  Scott 
Silas  Robinson 
Elizabeth  Eastman 
Sarah  Story 
Simeon  Harmon 
Robert  Cochran 
Mary  Cochran 
Bettey  Dewey 
Anna  Walbridge 
Daniel  Mills 
Miudwell  Hopkins 
Rhoda  Hopkins 


[One   quarter  sheet  of  subscribers'  names  —  probably   thirty  — was  lost. — 
WILLIAM  HASWELL.] 


400  APPENDIX. 

D. 

ARTICLES  OF  THE  NEWTXT  (Coxx.)  SEPARATE  CHURCH. l 

1.  We  believe  that  there  is  one  only  glorious  God,  a  Being 
from  Himself  and  for  Himself,  of  Whom,  and  for  Whom,  are  all 
things ;  Who  is  Infinite,  eternal,  unchangeable  in  power,  wisdom, 
goodness,  justice,  holiness  and  truth. 

2.  That  there  are  Three  Sacred  Persons  in  the  Godhead.    God 
the  Father,  God  the  Sou,  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost.    Equally  God, 
and  yet  but  one  God. 

3.  That  God  hath,    from  all  eternity,  foreordained  what  shall 
come  to  pass,  and  did  not  only  foresee,  but  did  foredetermiue  the 
eternal  states  of  men  and  angels. 

4.  That  tlnre  is  a  general  Providence  which  is  exercised  about 
all  things,  and  that  there  is  a  special  government  of  God  over  all 
the  rational  Creation. 

5.  That  God  made  angels  and  men  in  holiness ;  but  some  of  the 
angels  abode  not  in  the  truth,  who  are  called  devils. 

6.  That  God  gave  to  man,  when  he  had  made  him,  a  rule  of 
obedience  for  life,  and  threatened  death  in  case  of  disobedience ; 
which  rule  for  obedience  our  first  parents  transgressed,  by  eating 
the  forbidden  fruit,  and  we  transgressed  in  them,  and  so  death 
passed  on  all  men. 

7.  That  the  sin  of  our  first  parents  is  the  sin  of  all  mankind  by 
just  imputation  and  derivation,  and  from  the  whole,  all  descending 
from  them  by  ordinary  generation,  do  naturally  choose  and  PRAC 
TISE  sin. 

8.  That  God,  having  eternally  elected  some  of  mankind  to  life, 
did,  in  the  fulness  of  time,  send  his  Son  to  redeem  them,  and  that 
God  the  Father  and  God  the  Son  did  send  the  Holy  Ghost  to  sanc 
tify  them. 

9.  We  believe  that  Jesus  Christ,  taking  our  nature  upon  him 
as  Mediator  between  God  and  man,  hath  made  full  satisfaction  to 
God  for  the  sins  of  the  elect,  and  purchased  life  for  them  by  the 
merits  of  his  active  and  passive  ijighteousness,  and  having  re 
ceived  all  power  from  God  the  Father,  doth,  in  the  execution  of 
his  prophetical,  priestly,  and  kingly  offices,  reveal  unto,  and  work 
in,  his  elect,  whatever  is  necessaiy  for  salvation. 

1  See  p.  51  of  this  volume. 


NEWINT  CHURCH  ARTICLES.  401 

10.  That  in  the  new  covenant,  God  hath  promised  life  to  all 
those  that,  with  the  full  consent  of  their  souls,  believe  in  him 
through  Jesus  Christ,  and  that  the  object  of  justifying  faith  is 
Christ  in  his  person  and  offices  as  he  is  revealed  in  the  Gospel, 
and  by  union  to  Christ,  by  faith  believers  are  made  partakers  of 
his  Sonship,  grace,  and  glory,  so  that  through  free  grace  in  Christ 
they  are  justified,  adopted,  and  sanctified,  and  shall  enjoy  eternal 
life. 

11.  We  believe  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testament  to 
be  the  record  of  God,  by  the  dispensation  of  which,  and  through 
which,  with  the  co-operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  conviction  of  sin 
and  misery  is  given,  a  knowledge  of,  and  a  particular  faith  in 
Christ  is  begotten,  repentance,  love,  and  new  obedience  is  caused 
in  the  elect. 

12.  We  believe  that  the  moral  law  in  the  hand  of  Christ  is  the 
rule  of  obedience  for  believers,  and  that  the  sum  of  this  law  is  to 
love  the  Lord  our  God  with  all  our  heart,  etc.,  and  our  neighbor 
as  ourselves. 

13.  We  believe  that  there   are    two  seals  of  the  covenant  of 
grace,  namely,  Baptism  and  the  Lord's   Supper.    That  Baptism 
belongs  to  none  but  true  believers  who  are  received  by  faith  and 
lov-e,  and  their  seed  in  their  infancy,  and  is  a  sign  of  our  entrance 
into  Christ ;  and  the  Lord's   Supper  is  a  sign  of  our  growth  in 
grace . 

14.  We  believe  in  the  communion  of  saints,  the  resurrection  of 
the  body,  and  the  life  everlasting.    Amen. 

Our  covenant  with  God  and  one  with  the  other  is  as  fol 
lows  :  — 

1.  We  do  each  of  us  in  particular  unfeignedly  resign  up  our 
selves  and  our  seed  to  the  Lord  Jehovah,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy 
Ghost,  receiving  Jesus  Christ  as  very  God  and  very  man,  and  the 
only  mediator  between  God  and  man,  as  our  Lord  and  Saviour, 
freely  given  of  God  to  each  of  us  in  particular  and  sealed  to  each 
of  us  in  particular,  by  the  Holy  Spirit  of  promise,  relying  upon  the- 
free  grace  of  God  for  that  salvation  and  blessedness  which  he  hath 
purchased,  and  we  hope  to  have  by  faith  in  and  dependence  upon 
himself,  and  we  do  submit  ourselves  to  the  word  and  Spirit  of  God 
to  be  ruled  and  thereby  to  be  sanctified. 

2.  We  do  acknowledge    ourselves   indispensably  bound  and 

34* 


402  APPENDIX. 

will  make  it  our  great  care  to  hold  fast  the  doctrine  of  faith  and 
good  manners  contained  in  the  Scriptures  of  truth ;  that  we  will 
attend  all  those  duties  that  are  therein  prescribed  for  the  increase 
of  our  faith  and  growth  in  holiness,  and  of  maintaining  a  good 
conscience,  that  is.  gospel  preaching,  mutual  exhortation,  ordinan 
ces,  discipline,  prayer,  singing  of  psalms,  etc. 

3.  And,  as  God  is  the  Author  of  order,  beauty,  and  peace,  we  do 
solemnly  promise  that,  by  the  assistance  of  God's  Holy  Spirit,  we 
will  labor  mutually  to  watch  one  over  the  other,  and  'to  observe 
all  Christian  and  brotherly  offices  one  to  the  other,  which  Christ 
hath  enjoined  according  to  our  respective  places;  that  is,  love 
without  dissimulation,  and  real  expressions  thereof  as  occasion 
serves,  in  daily  frequent  exhortation  to  duty,  and  admonition  in 
case  of  sin  and  failing,  praying  for  one  another,  and  sympathizing 
with  one  another  in  affliction  and  prosperous   enjoyments,  and 
using  all  possible  means  to  promote  the  spiritual  welfare  and 
growth  of  each  other  in  holiness. 

4.  First.   We  do   submit  to   the  discipline  of  Christ  'in  this 
church, —  the   sum  of  which  we   do  acknowledge  as  followeth, 
namely :    That  supreme  and  lordly  power  and  authority  over  all 
churches  doth  belong  only  to  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  King  and  Head 
thereof.    He  hath  the  government  upon  His  shoulders ;  hath  all 
power  both  in  Heaven  and  in  Earth,  and  it  is  exercised  by  Him 
first  -in  calling  the  church  out  of  the  world  to  holy  fellowship 
with  Himself;  (2),  and  in  instituting  the  ordinances  of  His  worship 
and  appointing  His  ministers  and  officers  for  the  dispensing  of 
them;  (3),  in  giving  law  for  the  ordering   all  our  way  and  the 
way  of  His  house;  (4),  in  giving  life  to  all  His  institutions  and  to 
His  people  by  them;  (5),  in  protecting  and  delivering  His  church 
against  and  from  all  the  enemies  of  their  peace. 

Secondly.  The  power  granted  by  Christ  to  the  body  of  the 
church  or  brotherhood  is  a  prerogative  or  privilege  which  the 
church  doth  exercise.  1st,  in  admitting  their  own  members ;  (2), 
in  choosing  and  ordaining  their  own  officers;  (3),  in  removing 
them  from  their  offices  and  fellowship  in  case  of  scandal  or  any 
thing  that  by  the  rules  of  gospel  renders  them  unfit  therefor;  (4), 
in  supporting  and  maintaining  the  gospel  ministry,  ordinances, 
and  poor  of  the  church,  without  using  the  civil  sword  or  any  co- 
her-sive  means  to  force  a  man  thereto. 
•  5.  We  do  also  promise,  by  the  grace  of  God,  to  oppose  all  sin 


PAPER   OF  SEPARATE  ECC.    COUNCIL.  403 

and  error  in  ourselves  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  and  in  others  when  they 
appear,  to  wit :  all  foolish  talking  and  jesting,  chambering,  and 
wantonness,  all  vain  disputing  about  words  and  things  that  gender 
strife  and  doth  not  edify  to  more  godliness ;  also  vain  company 
keeping,  and  spending  time  daily  at  taverns,  tippliug-houses  or 
elsewhere ;  also  evil  whispering  or  backbiting  any  person ;  also 
carnal  and  unnecessary  discourse  about  worldly  things,  espe 
cially  on  the  Sabbath  day ;  unnecessary  forsaking  the  assembling 
ourselves  in  private  convenient  conferences  and  especially  on  the 
Sabbath,  and  all  other  sins  whatsoever  both  of  omission  and  com 
mission,  etc. 

G.  We  will  teach  all  under  our  care,  as  far  as  in  us  lies,  to 
know  God,  to  fear  him,  and  to  live  in  his  way.  And  now  as  a  fur 
ther  testimony  of  our  hearty  belief  of  the  foregoing  doctrine  of 
faith  and  covenant,  we  not  only  call  heaven  and  earth  to  record, 
but  we  subscribe  and  sign  the  same  with  our  names. 


E. 

EXTRACT  FROM  RESULT  OF  A  SEPARATE  ECCLESIASTICAL  COUNCIL 
HELD  IN  BENNINGTON,  MAY  23,  1770.     (See  p.  59.) 

"  We  see,  then,  from  the  general  rules  given  in  Scripture,  Cam 
bridge  Platform,  and  from  the  reason  and  nature  of  things,  the 
gospel  ought  to  be  supported  by  equality.  The  particular  method 
of  which  we  apprehend  to  be  merely  circumstantial  where  the 
essence  of  the  duty  is  done  and  nobody  injured,  and  we  appre 
hend  the  church  and  society  may  warrantably  unite  in  a  method 
by  mutual  agreement  to  perform  the  same,  with  this  reserve  and 
caution  :  to  guard  the  church  from  bondage.  The  society  is  by  no 
means  to  be  allowed  to  control  or  govern  the  church  in  the  affair. 
Therefore  we  think  this  church  in  Bennington  has  made  a  mistake, 
or  taken  a  wrong  step,  though  perhaps  inadvertently,  in  giving 
the  members  of  society,  without  any  reserve,  an  equal  right  of 
judging  in  this  affair,  which,  when  the  society  is  in  the  majority 
according  hereunto  they  may  bind  the  whole  church  contrary  to 
its  own  mind  or  judgment. 

But  as  to  the  method  of  pursuing  this  equality,  we  suppose  it 
may  be  varied  so  as  to  suit  different  circumstances ;  as,  for  in- 


404  APPENDIX. 

stance,  if  the  circumstances  are  such  as  that  by  Sabbath  contribu 
tions  the  thing  can  be  done,  very  well ;  or  if  a  community  agree 
to  pursue  a  method  of  equality,  as  follows  :  Voluntary  subscrip 
tion  for  their  mutual  satisfaction;  or  that  of  equalizing  a  sum 
among  themselves,  —  very  well.  Or  perhaps  some  other  method 
not  mentioned  may  answer  well  in  some  circumstances.  But  in 
none  of  these  ways  is  the  matter  to  be  left  without  the  care  and 
inspection  of  the  church,  which  has  the  right  of  judgment  con 
cerning  the  duty,  and  when  discharged  by  its  individual  members. 
And  when  any  of  the  agreed-upon  methods  is  come  into,  and  each 
one's  proportion  is  known,  and  any  individual  church-member  will 
not  discharge  the  same,  and  will  not  give  any  satisfactory  reason 
why  to  the  church,  they  have  a  right  to  use  their  discipline  in  the 
case." 

The  "  result "  is  signed, 

JOHN  PALMER,  \ 

ISRAEL  HOLLY,  f 

JOSEPH  KENT,  f  °°UnC*L 

ZACCHEUS  WALDO,  J 


P. 

A  PAPER,  WHEREIN  THE  SIGNERS  AGREE  TO  BE  TAXED  TO  PAY 

THE  MINISTER.1 

We,  the  subscribers,  inhabitants  of  the  town  of  Bennington, 
being  desirous  to  have  the  Gospel  preached  among  us,  do  bind 
ourselves  severally  to  bear  our  equal  part  in  paying  the  cost  of 
sending  for  a  minister  of  the  Gospel,  for  the  above  purpose;  and 
also  of  supporting  him  for  the  term  of  six  months,  according  to 
our  several  lists  in  the  year  1783.  Witness  our  hands  this  seventh 
day  of  January,  1784.  The  above  proportion  to  be  paid  to  Samuel 
Safford,  Esq.,  Jonathan  Robinson,  and  Simeon  Hathaway,  Jr.,  a 
committee  chosen  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  said  money  and 
settling  with  the  minister. 

Elijah  Boardman  William  Satterlee 

Silas  Robinson  Timothy  Abbott 

Daniel  Kinsley  Samuel  Tubs 

Nathaniel  Kingsley  John  Wood 

l  Original  in  possession  of  G.  W,  Robinson. 


PAPER    ON  INDIAN  CLAIMS. 


405 


Ephraira  Smith 
Joseph  Robinson 
Matthew  Scott 
Daniel  Story 
Nathaniel  Harmon 
.Joseph  Rurld 
Paniel  Rudd 
Benjamin  Fassett 
Benjamin  Hulburt 
William  Mather 
Eldad  Dewey 
Samuel  Saflbrd 
Simeon  Hathaway,  Jr. 
Jonathan  Robinson 
Henry  Walbridge 
Simeon  Harmon 
Robert  Blair 
Joseph  Wickwire 
Timothy  Follett 
Simeon  Hathaway 
J  ohn  Kingsley 
Peter  Harwood 
Solomon  Walbridge 
Jonathan  Scott 
Simeon  Harmon,  Jr. 
Daniel  Harmon 
David  Robinson 
Samuel  Holmes 
Ebenezer  Walbridge 
Stephen  Hopkins 
Robert  Hopkins 
Isaac  Tichenor 
Levi  Hathaway 
Jesse  Field 
Leonard  Robinson 


David  Tracy 
Thomas  Henderson 
Thomas  Abel 
Joseph  Hinsdill 


Names  added  by  the  committee. 

Elijah  Dewey 
Nathaniel  Brush 
John  Fassett 
Zechariah  Harwood 
Joseph  Farnsworth 
Samuel  Robinson 
Joseph  Willoughby 
Calvin  Bingham 
Thomas  Hall 
Joseph  Safford 
Solomon  Safford 
Jacob  Safford 
Reuben  Clapp 
Loan  Dewey 
Joseph  House 
Gideon  Spencer 
Robert  Cochran 
Charles  Cushman 
Jonathan  Fisk 
Isaac  ftice 
Uriah  Edgerton 
Issachar  Norton 
Benjamin  Demilt 
Aaron  Demilt 
Joseph  Tracy 
Aaron  Hubbell 


G. 

A  PAPER  TO  SETTLE  INDLYN  CLAIMS.1 

Whereas  the  Stockbridge  Indian  tribe,  Capt.  Jacobs  and  others, 
challenge  twelve  or  more  townships  of  land,  situate  and  being 
on  the  west  line  of  the  province  of  New  Hampshire,  as  chartered 
by  Benning  Wentworth,  Esq.,  governor  of  said  province;  and  the 
said  Indian  tribe  are  willing,  and  will  be  ready  on  the  first  day  of 


l  Original  in  possession  of  G.  W.  Robinson, 


406 


APPENDIX. 


January  next,  to  treat  with  us,  or  any  of  us,  respecting  their  title, 
and  will  at  that  time  likewise  appoint  a  meeting,  at  which  meet 
ing  they  will  make  it  appear  that  they  are  the  sole  owners  of,  and 
have  the  only  proper  and  lawful  right  to  sell  and  convey  the  same ; 
and  whereas,  we,  the  subscribers,  whose  names  are  hereto  an 
nexed,  being  willing  and  desirous  to  make  sure  to  ourselves  and 
successors  a  good  and  sufficient  title  to  the  interests  which  we 
now  possess,  and  to  make  such  addition,  or  additions,  thereto,  as 
shall  be  thought  proper  and  conducive  to  our  moral  interests  by 
Mr.  Jedidiah  Dewey,  Capt.  John  Fassett,  and  S.  Fay,  whom  we 
depute  and  elect  to  treat  with  said  tribe,  or  such  of  them  as  will 
be  necessary  to  treat  with,  in  order  to  the  procurement  of  a  proper 
title  to  such  land  and  lauds,  tying  and  being  as  aforesaid. 

In  consideration  of  all  which  we  severally  engage  for  ourselves, 
heirs,  executors,  and  administrators,  to  pay,  or  cause  to  be  paid, 
to  the  said  Jedidiah,  John,  or  Stephen,  the  several  sum  and  sums 
according  to  our  proprietorship,  as  will  appear  by  the  charter 
aforesaid,  both  the  sum  and  sums  which  he  or  they  may  give  for 
said  land,  or  lands,  and  the  cost  necessarily  arising  by  means  of 
the  procurement  of  said  title ;  and  to  pay  such  sum  and  sums  of 
money  unto  the  said  Jedidiah,  John,  or  Stephen,  at  such  time  and 
times  as  he  or  they  sliall  agree  with  said  tribe  of  Indians. 

Witness  each  of  our  hands  at  Bennington,  this  thirtieth  day  of 
November,  A.  D.  1767. 

John  Fassett  Leonard  Robinson 

Stephen  Fay  Samuel  Montague 

James  Breakenridge  Timothv  Pratt 

Jedidiah  Dewey  Thomas  Smith 

Joseph  Safford  Jonathan  Scott,  Jr. 

Elisha  Field  Matthew  Scott 

Nathan  Clark  Daniel  Scott 

Benjamin  Whipple  Moses  Robinson 

Simeon  Harmon  Ephraim  Marble 

Henry  Walbridge  Samuel  Cutler 

John  Wood  Stephen  Hopkins 

Lebbeus  Armstrong  Joseph  Smith 

Samuel  Tubs  Jonathan  Fassett 

Samuel  Robinson  Josiah  Barber 

Jacob  Fisk  Benjamin  Warner 

Thomas  Henderson  Samuel  Robinson,  Jr. 

Josiah  Fuller  Joseph  Wickwire 

Silas  Robinson  Nathaniel  Dickenson 

Samuel  Hunt  Daniel  Mills 


GOV.  HUTCHINSON'S  LETTER. 


407 


Jacob  Hyde 
Samuel  Atwood 
Wait  Hopkins 
Joseph  Willoughby 
Ebenezer  Wood 
David  Safford 
Ebenezer  Walbridgf 
Cornelius  Cady 
Nathaniel  Holmes 
Zachariah  Harwood 
Samuel  Scott 
Elijah  Story 
Johnson  Cleaveland 
Nathan  Clark,  Jr. 
Jonathan  Wickwire 
Ebenezer  Allen 
Nathaniel  Holmes,  Jr. 
Nathaniel  Harmon 
Joshua  Harmon 
Joseph  Safford,  Jr. 
Samuel  Harvey 
Joseph  Robinson 
Daniel  Story 
Elijah  Wood 
Robert  Cochran 
Nathaniel  Fillmore 
John  Stewart 
John  Armstrong 


Joseph  Rude 
Thomas  Story 
Hezekiah  Armstrong 
Benajah  Rude 
Benjamin  Atwell 
Oliver  Rice 
Daniel  Warner 
Aaron  Haynes, 
Henry  Walbridge,  Jr. 
Ebenezer  Robinson 
Thomas  Jewett 
Israel  Hurd 
Jonathan  Fisk 
Robert  Wilcox 
Samuel  Herrick 
Jedidiah  Merrill 
Abner  Marble 
Elkanah  Ashley 
Silas  Pratt 
Benajah  Storey 
John  Wood 
Timothy  Abbott 
Seth  Warner 
Simeon  Hathaway,  Jr. 

Harmon 

Brotherton  Daggett 
Charles  Cushman 
Gideon  Spencer 


H. 

EXTRACT  FROM  A  LETTER  OF  Gov.  HUTCHINSON,  OF  MASSACHU 
SETTS,  TO  GOV.  POWNAL,  THEN  IN  LONDON,  DATED  BOSTON,  JULY 

10,  1765.1 

"Permit  me  while  you  are  taking  care  of  the  interests  of  the 
whole  to  mention  to  you  that  of  a  small  part  only.  There  came  to 
me  yesterday  one  Robinson  who  was  one  of  your  officers,  and 
perhaps  you  will  recollect  meeting  him  upon  the  road  when  you 
was  travelling  to  or  from  Hartford.  After  the  war  was  over,  he 
purchased  from  Mr.  Weutworth  a  patent  for  a  township  which  he 
had  laid  out  upon  the  New  York  line,  as  then  understood,  twenty 

1  Vol.  II.  of  Hutchinson's  Correspondence,  p.  143,  in  the  office  of  the  Secretary 
of  the  Commonwealth,  Boston.  Furnished  by  Gov.  Hall, 


408  APPENDIX. 

miles  distant  from  Hudson's  River.  The  settlers  have  made  great 
improvements,  have  sixty-seven  families,  and  as  many  houses,  — 
some  of  them,  he  says,  of  a  superior  sort  to  the  common  settlers' 
houses,  —  have  a  minister  ordained,  and  their  affairs  in  a  very  flour 
ishing  state.  The  town  is  called  Benuington.  Another  township 
adjoining,  which  has  nearly  as  many  families,  is  called  Powual. 
Both  these  townships  are  lately  laid  out,  together  with  many  others, 
by  Mr.  Livingston,  who,  having  purchased  the  claims  of  officers 
and  soldiers,  has  obtained  a  patent  from  New  York;  and  I  suppose 
will  have  a  second  manor  there.  Robinson  says  he  has  expended 
more  than  a  thousand  pounds,  lawful  money,  and  that  he  shall  be 
ruined ;  for  he  must  either  quit  all  or  become  tenant  upon  such 
terms  as  will  be  worse  than  quitting.  The  grantees  from  New 
Hampshire  supposed  their  title  as  good  to  the  west  as  to  the  east 
of  Connecticut  River,  provided  they  did  not  go  within  twenty 
miles  of  Hudson's  River,  and  it  seems  scarcely  equitable  that  pri 
vate  property  should  be  altered  by  the  new  settlement  of  the  New 
York  line.  The  people  are  unable  to  bear  the  expense  of  the  con 
troversy." 


THE  END. 


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